Qabbani Meets Ali, Condemns Karm el-Zaytoun Massacre

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani on Tuesday called for an “immediate halt” to the killings in Syria, condemning the latest massacre in the Homs neighborhood of Karm el-Zaytoun.

Following a meeting with Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali, Qabbani said: “We condemn the bloodshed and the death of thousands of martyrs, victims and innocent men, women, elderly people and children.”

And as he voiced fears and concerns over the situations in Syria, the mufti asked God to protect “Syria and its brotherly people and national unity.”

For his part, the Syrian ambassador said talks with Qabbani focused on “keenness on the Lebanese national unity, the Syrian national unity and the brotherly ties between the two countries.”

“His Eminence focused on the need to preserve the language of understanding and coexistence and the rejection of sedition, saying we should not heed the voices trying to incite civil strife, whether in Lebanon or any neighboring country,” Ali added.

He also reassured that “Syria is fine and leading a fight against outlaw forces.”

Ali said the Karm el-Zaytoun massacre was carried out by “criminals,” noting that Syria has slammed “these appalling crimes which were perpetrated by extremists and armed men who are unfortunately receiving all kinds of support from Arab countries.”

Separately, the ambassador hailed “the busting of the terrorist cell by the Lebanese army and its intelligence directorate, which has immunized Lebanon.”

“Lebanon’s internal security and coherence reflects positively on Syria,” he added.