Miqati Confirms to Qabbani his Commitment to Dar al-Fatwa Principles

Prime Minister Najib Miqati confirmed on Saturday his commitment to the Islamic principles, issued by Dar al-Fatwa, to safeguard the nation and the Sunni sect that gathers the factions of the Lebanese community.

“The Islamic principles are the basis of Lebanon’s national principles… it aims at saving Lebanon,” Miqati said during a meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani at the Grand Serail.

He confirmed his commitment to those principles to safeguard Lebanon, saying: “The Premiership is the barricade against any fragmentation or discrimination.”

For his part, Qabbani noted that Miqati’s obligations towards the international resolutions and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon interpret his commitment to Dar al-Fatwa principles.

“His (Miqati’s) decision saves Lebanon from a debate that lasted for one year,” Qabbani stressed.

Miqati said on Wednesday he had transferred Lebanon's share for the STL probing the murder of ex-premier Rafik Hariri, averting a crisis that threatened the collapse of his government.

He said that “the decision irritated many people… however; it indicates that the Lebanese will not allow the blood of their leaders and children to go in vain.”

Qabbani reiterated that “Miqati is serving the country without allowing any hindrances to obstruct his work.”

Lebanon is responsible for meeting 49 percent of the funding of the tribunal created by a 2007 U.N. Security Council resolution at Lebanon's request.

The rest comes from voluntary contributions from states.