The Grand Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Abdul-Latif Drian, called on the MPs to "hasten the completion of the presidential election and to engage in dialogue and transparent, sincere discussions to reach a happy ending and close this file." He pointed out that "electing a president for the republic is not the entirety of the solution, but rather an entry point to resolve other issues. We want a president who respects his constitutional oath in the parliamentary council, as he swears on the constitution and the Taif Agreement, adhering to the powers granted to him by the constitution. There is a significant and huge amount of work to be done and great efforts that need to be exerted to restore order in Lebanon and return to normal life. We do not want a new Lebanon; we want a strong Lebanon with all its children and citizens, and this can only be achieved through the combined efforts of us all."
During a honoring ceremony held for the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, at the invitation of businessman Bashir Hariri at his home in Dhour al-Abadiyya, Drian affirmed "the importance of not allowing the distortion of Arab and Islamic values through strange and suspicious proposals for any project that contradicts Islamic teachings." He added: "We trust in the dignity, honor, and zeal of the majority of our MPs in the parliamentary council, who will stand with us against any proposed legislation that affects the family and children. We call on the MPs not to support the repeal of the article that criminalizes homosexuality and to be firm on this matter, as this is a significant responsibility that falls on them."
He continued: "We are a fundamental component of the state; we are the ones protecting the system in this Lebanese state in collaboration with other sincere individuals. To those discussing systemic change in these dire circumstances, I say that these proposals are suspect. Regarding the five-member committee that has convened multiple times in France, Doha, and the Kingdom, we thank all the efforts made by this committee, and we hope that the Lebanese interior responds to its wishes. I say to the MPs: We are all with you; may you move forward with God's blessing, and choose the most suitable, best, and most qualified for Lebanon and the Lebanese."
He concluded by stating: "The Dar al-Fatwa in the Lebanese Republic is your house; it is your reference and will always remain so. We will not fall short in the Dar al-Fatwa in defending the rights of Sunni Muslims and all Muslims in general, and the rights of all Lebanese as well; this is our principled stance. Within yourselves, you may be wondering what happened in the past two or three days at the Higher Islamic Shari’a Council? I will give you a brief statement: They want something, and I do not want; and God does what He wills."
