Mikati: We will not allow any division among the Sunnites

 
Following his meeting with Tripoli’s officials, PM Najib Mikati stated that the Sharia Higher Council’s elections should be held according to standard norms, stressing that he fully trusts the Grand Mufti Mohammad Rashid Qabbani and that he will not abandon him. He also called for isolating this issue form politics. 
 
“We will not allow any division within the Sunni community”, Mikati added.  

Mikati then expressed his wishes regarding the Northern Lebanese city, hoping that stability will be maintained in Tripoli.  

Mikati also refused all talk about the creation of an Islamic entity in Tripoli and the north.

"Tripoli's citizens want the army and do not want to be part of an entity or protectorate."

Mikati insisted that he will continue to assume his responsibility as a prime minister. "It is easy to resign the responsibility but it is much more difficult to shoulder the responsibility and I have chosen the latter." 
 
On the Syrian crisis, Mikati said that its influence on Lebanon is increasing, emphasizing that the Syrian-Lebanese relations are “historical”. “It is impossible to close the border crossings,” Mikati affirmed. “We are only helping in the humanitarian cases and we shall not interfere in the politics.”