Christian-Muslim summit issues “lukewarm” recommendations

The Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said that the Muslims and Christians pledge to remain nonviolent and stay united.

At the opening of the broad spiritual Christian-Muslim summit held in Dar El Fatwa with the participation of 17 religious figures including Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai, Qabbani stressed that no one in the region or in Lebanon should live in fear, adding that this summit is both historical and exceptional.

Mufti Qabbani added that Dar El Fatwa in Lebanon is everyone’s home just as Lebanon is everyone’s nation.

For his part, Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai said that he sought France’s help to equip the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). Rai called on PM Najib Mikati and former PM Saad Hariri to work side by side to strengthen the LAF.  

In a speech held by Rai during the spiritual summit in Dar El Fatwa, the patriarch emphasized the notion that Lebanon does not endorse or oppose any regime. Rai hoped that “Syria’s turmoil will not lead to a civil war that could extend into Lebanon, since the two countries are bound together”.  

Exclusive sources told LBC that the draft recommendations will be “lukewarm” since the document will not tackle controversial issues such as the matter of funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and the latest remarks made by Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai.

The same sources added that the recommendations will emphasize the importance of peaceful coexistence and liberating the occupied Lebanese and Arab lands without mentioning the means to do so.