Qabbani Blames Extremism on Attacks on 'Moderate' Dar al-Fatwa, Failure to Resolve Islamists' Case

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani said Monday that extremism rose in Lebanon over the failure to resolve the file of Islamists held in Roumieh prison and attempts to topple Dar al-Fatwa's “moderate role.”

“The file of Islamists has been one of the reasons for the rise of extremism,” he said in reference to suspects, who were arrested during Fatah al-Islam’s battles with the Lebanese army in the northern refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared in 2007.

The spirit of vengeance grew among them over the years, Qabbani said in an address to the Lebanese.

“The attempts to topple the moderate role of Dar al-Fatwa was another reason,” he said.

“We reject turning Dar al-Fatwa into a tool in anyone's hands,” he said in a veiled reference to al-Mustaqbal movement, whose ties with the Mufti deteriorated over the years.

Qabbani urged the Lebanese to form an all-embracing cabinet and make sure to elect a president on time.

“Beware of vacuum,” he said, adding “be keen on your nation and its moderation.”

Qabbani supported national unity and called for dialogue to resolve the country's crises.

“Our Constitution, which is based on the Taef Accord, hasn't been placed to organize the division of shares. It has been placed to have participation,” he said in his address. “Our coexistence includes everyone.”

Addressing Arab and Islamic leaders, Qabbani said: “You should salvage your countries from fighting and destruction … You could salvage the future of your countries and prevent foreigners from imposing solutions on you.”

“Those foreigners are plotting attacks to diminish the powers of the resistance and divide the region into weak sectarian states,” he warned.

The U.S. succeeded in creating infighting in these countries but it would not emerge victorious, he said.

Qabbani urged the Lebanese to confront the plot and find consensual and centrist solutions to salvage the nation before it was too late.

Such a plot aims at making Israel the hegemonic power in the region, he said.

“As Arab nations are engaged in infighting, Israel builds more Jewish settlements, brings in more Jewish immigrants and expels the Palestinian landowners,” the Mufti added.