Sheikh Aql of the Druze Community, Sheikh Naeem Hasan, also visited Ambassador Bukhari at the head of a delegation. Additionally, he received the Minister of Interior in the caretaker government, Mohammed Fahmy.
This morning, the Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari welcomed the Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul-Latif Deryan at his residence in Yarze, leading a delegation from Dar al-Fatwa, in a visit to express solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The delegation included: the President of the Sunni Sharia Courts, Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Assaf; the General Director of Islamic Endowments, Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Anis Al-Arawadi; Judge Sheikh Khaldoun Araymet; the General Director of the Zakat Fund in Lebanon, Dr. Sheikh Zahir Qbay; the administrative manager of Dar al-Fatwa, Sheikh Salah al-Din Fakhry; Fatwa teacher Sheikh Abdul-Hadi Al-Khatib; and the Director of Public Relations and Media at Dar al-Fatwa, Khaldoun Qawwas.
Sheikh Deryan stated after the meeting: "On this blessed morning, we came to visit my dear friend and esteemed Ambassador Walid Bukhari to express our solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership, government, and people, as well as with all Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and to also express our loyalty to these brotherly nations that have never abandoned Lebanon in its support and assistance."
He added: "What has recently been said that insults the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, is not only an insult to these dear brotherly countries but also an insult to us as Lebanese people. We at Dar al-Fatwa have strong and solid relations with Ambassador Bukhari, and we are working diligently together to showcase the Arab and Islamic positions that enhance the spirit of solidarity and cooperation between us and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
Deryan emphasized that "this distinguished institution has seen meetings sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Ambassador Bukhari over the past years to foster solidarity among Lebanese people primarily for the interest of Lebanon and the Lebanese, and also to enhance Saudi-Lebanese relations."
He stressed that they "are awaiting decisive measures in the coming hours to correct the insults directed at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Lebanese officials must act quickly to mend this rift. My today’s message of solidarity and loyalty to the Kingdom drives me to address the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince, that we in Lebanon are entrusted to remain loyal to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is an essential part of our culture, belief, patriotism, and Arabism."
He stated: "I say with all clarity that the issued insults are rejected, condemned, and deplored by all standards, especially the standards of Arab brotherhood and moral values. We hope to quickly overcome this crisis, and we rely heavily on the wisdom of brotherly countries like the Kingdom and the Gulf states, as well as on the actions of wise and rational people in Lebanon, to remove the repercussions of these insults that have primarily affected us."
He addressed Ambassador Bukhari, saying: "We will continue together in the march of Arabism, Islam, and brotherhood, and our relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all Arab countries will only be one of brotherhood, respect, and appreciation. You have my utmost respect."
In response to a question about the expected steps, Deryan said: "We are waiting in the coming hours for decisive actions on this matter. We heard yesterday various statements and positions from Lebanese leaders and the civil society, which loves the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we hope for serious and radical measures to be taken, and for the minister to act to correct the mistake that was made."
Afterward, Bukhari received the Minister of Interior in the caretaker government, Mohammed Fahmy, and then Sheikh Aql of the Druze Community, Sheikh Naeem Hasan, at the head of a delegation.
