Lebanon's Mufti Condemns Hezbollah, Accuses Corrupt Clique of Starving People

Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian
Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian
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Lebanon's Mufti Condemns Hezbollah, Accuses Corrupt Clique of Starving People

Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian
Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian

Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian accused the "corrupt clique" in power of starving the Lebanese people, blaming them for destroying everything the Lebanese built in 100 years, including the judiciary and the banking sector and Lebanon's relations with Arab and international countries.

In his message on the eve of Ramadan month, the Mufti warned that the military institution and army are being deprived for the sake of militias affiliated with foreign forces, in reference to Hezbollah.

He also urged Lebanese citizens to participate "without hesitation" in the May 15 legislative elections.

"People feel hungry during Ramadan because they choose to fast, but starvation results from failed policies, corrupt rulers, complete disregard for human rights, and stealing people's money."

The Mufti accused the corrupt politicians of turning Lebanon into a country that suffers from starvation, fear, and deprivation while they keep "devouring the money you have unlawfully taken," saying it would be better if they fast from corruption and falsehood and give Lebanon "an opportunity to breathe."

He also condemned the corrupt saying they destroyed Lebanon's relations with Arab and international countries, attempting to undermine the country's identity and affiliation.

Derian criticized the "desperate attempts to ruin Lebanon's identity and constitution, and destroy the principle of separation of powers in favor of personal feuds and miserable political interests."

He summarized his message with central positions: the solidarity among the Lebanese at all levels, and solidarity from Arab countries and the world since the Beirut Port explosion, despite everyone's anger and despair over the lack of reforms.

In his second position, the Mufti addressed the upcoming elections, saying it is a peaceful way to achieve the goals which the Lebanese must follow without hesitation.

He urged all Lebanese voters to participate in the polls, "any alternative produced by the elections is better than the coercive and corrupt authority, and some candidates are motivated and willing to create change."

Derian rejected the estimates that most candidates are of the same kind and are opportunists, saying: "I see that many candidates, whether old or new, are people who want change."

"Any alternative produced by the elections is better than the coercive and corrupt authority, and some candidates are motivated and willing to create change," he said.

Derian concluded his speech by addressing the national initiatives that unite Lebanese who suffered from the authority, such as the national dialogue.

He called for a revolution against the oppressors, the tyrants, and the corrupt, urging all to choose alternatives through the elections.



Survivors, Bodies Recovered from Capsized Red Sea Tourist Boat

25 November 2024, Egypt: Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi (R) checks on tourists rescued from capsized tourist boat called "Sea Story" that sank off Egypt's Red Sea coast. (Red Sea Governorate/dpa)
25 November 2024, Egypt: Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi (R) checks on tourists rescued from capsized tourist boat called "Sea Story" that sank off Egypt's Red Sea coast. (Red Sea Governorate/dpa)
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Survivors, Bodies Recovered from Capsized Red Sea Tourist Boat

25 November 2024, Egypt: Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi (R) checks on tourists rescued from capsized tourist boat called "Sea Story" that sank off Egypt's Red Sea coast. (Red Sea Governorate/dpa)
25 November 2024, Egypt: Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi (R) checks on tourists rescued from capsized tourist boat called "Sea Story" that sank off Egypt's Red Sea coast. (Red Sea Governorate/dpa)

Rescuers on Tuesday recovered five survivors and four bodies from a dive boat that capsized off Egypt's eastern coast a day earlier, Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi said.  

A military-led team rescued two Belgians, one Swiss national, one Finnish tourist and one Egyptian, the governor said, bringing the total number of survivors from the accident to 33.  

The "Sea Story" had been carrying 31 tourists of multiple nationalities and a 13-member crew when it was hit by a large wave near Marsa Alam in southeastern Egypt early on Monday, causing it to capsize.

The four bodies recovered on Tuesday have not yet been identified, and eight people are still missing after 28 were rescued on Monday.

A government source close to rescue operations said the five survivors were found on Tuesday morning inside the boat, which the governor said had been thrown on its side by an early morning wave but had not completely sunk.  

The group had spent at least 24 hours in the overturned vessel after authorities first received distress calls at 5:30 AM (0330 GMT) on Monday.  

"Rescue operations are ongoing today, supported by a military helicopter and a frigate in addition to multiple divers," the Red Sea governor told AFP Tuesday, declining to provide any further details about the operation.  

The four bodies recovered on Tuesday were also located inside the stricken vessel.  

The boat had embarked on a multi-day diving trip on Sunday and had been due to dock on Friday at the town of Hurghada, 200 kilometers (124 miles) north.  

The governor on Monday said it capsized "suddenly and quickly within 5-7 minutes" of the impact with the wave, leaving some passengers -- among them European, Chinese and American tourists -- unable to set out of their cabins in time.  

- Still missing -  

Rescuers from the military and a passing tourist boat pulled 28 people from the water on Monday.  

According to a source at a hospital in Marsa Alam, six tourists and three Egyptians were admitted with minor injuries and discharged on Monday.   

According to the governor's office, the boat was carrying tourists from Belgium, Britain, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.  

Among the missing are two Polish tourists and one from Finland, according to both countries' foreign ministries.  

Authorities in Egypt have said the vessel was fully licensed and had passed all inspection checks. A preliminary investigation showed no technical fault.  

There were at least two similar boat accidents in the Marsa Alam area earlier this year, but no fatalities.  

The Red Sea coast is a major tourist destination in Egypt, a country of 107 million that is in the grip of a serious economic crisis.  

Nationally, the tourism sector employs two million people and generates more than 10 percent of its GDP.  

Dozens of dive boats crisscross between Red Sea coral reefs and islands off Egypt's eastern coast every day, where safety regulations are robust but unevenly enforced.