Lebanon’s Mufti: Saudi Efforts in Promoting Moderation are Countless, Endless

Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian. (NNA)
Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian. (NNA)
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Lebanon’s Mufti: Saudi Efforts in Promoting Moderation are Countless, Endless

Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian. (NNA)
Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian. (NNA)

Grand Mufti of Lebanon Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian has underlined on Friday the importance of the international Islamic conference that will be held in the Holy City of Makkah on August 13.

He said the conference will have a major role in enhancing bonds among Islamic nations, highlighting the countless and endless efforts being exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in promoting the values of peace, tolerance, moderation and co-existence.

Derian’s remarks came in a press statement marking the upcoming international conference to be held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, SPA said.

He also underlined the Kingdom’s efforts in supporting Islamic causes and promoting joint Arab and Islamic action under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince .

Titled, “Communication with the Departments of Religious Affairs, Ifta and Sheikhdoms in the World,” the conference is organized in Makkah by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance.

The event will be attended by scholars, muftis and heads of Islamic associations and sheikhdoms from 85 countries.



Lebanon Hopes for Neighborly Relations in First Message to New Syria Government

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeting with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (AFP)
Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeting with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (AFP)
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Lebanon Hopes for Neighborly Relations in First Message to New Syria Government

Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeting with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (AFP)
Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) arrives for a meeting with visiting Druze officials from Lebanon's Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) in Damascus on December 22, 2024. (AFP)

Lebanon said on Thursday it was looking forward to having the best neighborly relations with Syria, in its first official message to the new administration in Damascus.

Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib passed the message to his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, in a phone call, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry said on X.

Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah played a major part propping up Syria's ousted President Bashar al-Assad through years of war, before bringing its fighters back to Lebanon over the last year to fight in a bruising war with Israel - a redeployment which weakened Syrian government lines.

Under Assad, Hezbollah used Syria to bring in weapons and other military equipment from Iran, through Iraq and Syria and into Lebanon. But on Dec. 6, anti-Assad fighters seized the border with Iraq and cut off that route, and two days later, opposition factions captured the capital Damascus.

Syria's new de-facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is seeking to establish relations with Arab and Western leaders after toppling Assad.