Eli Mahfoud, President of the Change Movement, confirmed that no agendas surpass Lebanon's priorities. He stated that the Lebanese agenda is the integration of Christian and Islamic communities in facing the storms that hit the region. After meeting with the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Abdul Latif Deryan, he said, "We must unite around Lebanon to protect it, preserve our existence and freedom, and hold on more than ever to the equation of Lebanon first and last. Remembering the late President Rafik Hariri at this moment, as he instituted and embodied our slogan of Lebanon first, is beneficial for us as Lebanese."
He continued, "As Lebanese, we must strive to find Lebanese solutions for our Lebanese crises, and likewise, Arab countries should work hard to find Arab solutions for Arab crises. If some parasites are climbing on our files, they are invading our Lebanese and Arab identities for their interests, not ours."
He added, "From the Dar al-Ifta, we raise the banner for Lebanon: its state, responsibilities, institutions, and legitimate agencies. We must all adhere to Lebanese legitimacy alone and must not deviate from the conditions of the state. While we can steer Lebanon away from conflicts, as Lebanese components, it is unreasonable to deviate from our institutions, which alone have the right to manage the affairs of the country and its people."
Mahfoud emphasized, "Southern Lebanon belongs to Lebanon and the Lebanese; it is not a platform or arena to be used for any missile calculations or a passage to commit any violations against the state's framework. Otherwise, the Taif Agreement and relevant international decisions will be at risk, which would put Lebanon in severe danger."
Mufti Deryan also received Hamed al-Khafaf, a representative of Sayyid al-Sistani in Lebanon, to discuss Islamic affairs.
