Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Sharia Council Calls for Cooperation with Mikati to Resolve Crisis

Lebanese Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian gestures during a ceremony for his appointment in Beirut August 10, 2014. (Reuters)
Lebanese Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian gestures during a ceremony for his appointment in Beirut August 10, 2014. (Reuters)
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Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Sharia Council Calls for Cooperation with Mikati to Resolve Crisis

Lebanese Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian gestures during a ceremony for his appointment in Beirut August 10, 2014. (Reuters)
Lebanese Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian gestures during a ceremony for his appointment in Beirut August 10, 2014. (Reuters)

Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Sharia Council expressed its support for Prime Minister Najib Mikati for laying out a roadmap to address the crisis with Saudi Arabia and Gulf States, calling for national cooperation in this regard.

During a meeting on Saturday headed by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdullatif Derian, in the presence of former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, the Council denounced “persistent reluctance” in resolving the crisis.

“The most dangerous and worst thing that Lebanon is facing is that someone, who does not believe in this fraternity, has taken over the file of brotherly relations with Arab countries,” the Council said in a statement, warning of “disastrous consequences of such an immoral, unpatriotic and non-Arab policy.”

The Council declared its support for Mikati, “who expressed a firm position by drawing up a roadmap to resolve the crisis that Lebanon is experiencing in its relations with its Arab brothers, especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

It also called on all Lebanese parties to cooperate with the premier to contain the repercussions of this crisis.”

The Council said it discussed with concern “attempts to obstruct the investigation into the Beirut Port blast.” It renewed its call to “continue the investigation transparently and comprehensively, by lifting the immunity of all officials who are supposed to be included in the probe.”

In remarks following the meeting, Siniora warned against “dangers threatening Lebanon and the supreme national interest.”

“Lebanon must return to its Arab fold, and the government should be keen on achieving this,” he underlined.



Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
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Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)

The Israeli military said Wednesday that troops have recovered the body of a hostage held in Gaza and were examining whether another body recovered was also that of a captive.

Earlier, Israel's defense minister said that troops recovered the bodies of two hostages.

The military said the body of Yosef Al Zaydani was brought to Israel on Tuesday after being discovered in an underground tunnel near the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It said troops uncovered information about Al Zaydani's son Hamzah that "raised serious concerns for his life."

Military spokesman Col. Nadav Shoshani said the military was looking into the identity of a second set of remains recovered.

Al Zaydani and his son were taken captive during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023, among 250 hostages snatched by the group during its cross-border raid.

Israel believes a third of the remaining 100 hostages are dead.

The body's recovery comes as Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire deal that would free the hostages and halt the fighting in Gaza.

However, Yosef and Hamzah Al Zaydani were believed to still be alive and their return could ramp up the pressure on Israel to move ahead on a deal.

Yosef Al Zaydani's name was on a list of 34 hostages shared by a Hamas official with The Associated Press that the group said were slated for release.

Many families of hostages say the continuation of the war in Gaza puts the lives of the remaining hostages at risk. They have demanded throughout the conflict that Israel reaches a deal with Hamas to free their loved ones.