Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian weighed in Monday on the campaign launched last week by Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement against former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and described the Sunni leader as a “red line.”
After holding talks with Prime Minister Saad Hariri at the Grand Serail, the mufti said: “Siniora is a red line, because he is a statesman par excellence. He is the one who brought back transparency and credibility to the state's finances... We are proud of him and will defend him against any slander."
He hoped there will harmony among the members of the government in order to solve the crises in Lebanon that are a major concern for the citizens.
“I am optimistic over the performance of this government, as long as everyone puts Lebanon's interest above any consideration. I urge cabinet members to set aside political differences and work for the benefit of Lebanon and the Lebanese because the economic and living crisis is daunting,” he added.
Meanwhile, a media truce was reached between Hariri’s Mustaqbal movement and the FPM after its leader, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, apologized to the premier over comments made last week against Siniora during the party’s OTV television news bulletin.
The sources said both men agreed on a media truce that should be respected by the two sides.
During its news bulletin, OTV said Siniora fears that his old files from the era of late PM Rafik Hariri would be opened after his son, Saad, “abandoned” him.
The allegation prompted a response from Harir’s Future Television, which said those who encroach upon Siniora also encroach on the premier.
Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that following the war of words between the two tsides, Bassil telephoned Hariri to apologize.
He explained that the OTV’s claims do not represent the FPM.
