HIC Slams Iranian Comments on Southern Border, Calls for 'Lebanese' Election of New President

The Higher Islamic Council on Saturday urged lawmakers and political parties to meet and elect a new president within the constitutional timeframe, stressing that the polls must remain “Lebanese.”

"We discussed with great concern the inability of the parliament to reach an accord on the election of a new president, especially because this is a matter that has a huge role in promoting stability and security in Lebanon,” the HIC said in a released statement after a meeting chaired by its deputy chief Omar Misqawi.

"We call on parliamentary blocs and political parties in the country to meet and elect a new president before the constitutional deadline, and to assure that this vote remains Lebanese,” the statement added.

The parliament failed again for the third time last Wednesday to elect a new head of state over disagreements between the rival March 8 and March 14 camps on a candidate for office.

March 14 has announced its support for Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, who was able to gather 48 votes in the first round of elections.

But the required quorum for electing a new president was not secured in the second and the third rounds of votes due to the absence of March 8 lawmakers, except for Speaker Nabih Berri's Liberation and Development bloc.

The HIC slammed after its meeting the latest Iranian remarks on its influence in southern Lebanon, considering it an “unacceptable interference in Lebanese affairs, and a violation of the country sovereignty.”

The conferees also stressed the necessity of expanding the security plan, which is being implemented in the North and the Bekaa, to include Beirut, its suburbs and the rest of Lebanese territories.

Separately, the HIC referred to legislative decree 18/1955 to stress that its decisions are binding.

"When Grand Mufti (Mohammed Rashid) Qabbani vetoed HIC's decision number 46/2012 before the State Council, he thus clearly recognized the Council's authority to deal with the administrative matters of Dar al-Fatwa and of the HIC,” the statement explained.

Hence, the Mufti is obliged to respect “these legal decisions, whether he recognized the legitimacy of the HIC or not,” the statement added.

"We also warn those who are claiming to be members of the HIC that they can be subjected to criminal prosecution if they hold any activities or announce any statement under this title,” it said.

S.D.B.