'Lebanon's future will be bright, God willing': Bukhari
The diplomat was speaking on the sidelines of a tour in Akkar (north), where he visited the region's mufti, Sheikh Zayd Bakkar Zakaria, at his residence in the village of Qornet Akkar, according to a statement relayed by the National News Agency (NNA). He then visited the Dar al-Fatwa office in Halba, where an expanded meeting was held in the presence of several religious, parliamentary, administrative and social figures.
'The kingdom's message is clear: It is about preserving all the components of every country and respecting their specificities, which I have personally observed, whether during the presidential vacancy or regarding the Taif Agreement,' he said, in reference to the period between the end of Michel Aoun's term on Oct. 31, 2022, and the start of Joseph Aoun's term on Jan. 9, 2025, as well as the agreement that ended the 1975-1990 civil war.
'The kingdom is keen on all communities — Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian — without favoring one side over another,' said the mufti.
He also expressed hope that 'agreements should soon be signed between the Lebanese and Saudi governments,' referring to the warming of diplomatic relations between the two countries since the start of Joseph Aoun's term. Saudi Arabia, however, still has not authorized its citizens to travel to Lebanon, unlike other Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
US confirms death of American in West Bank
The U.S. State Department on Sunday confirmed an American citizen had died this week in the West Bank, with family and Palestinian officials attributing his death to arson by Israeli settlers. The Palestinian Authority and witnesses reported on Thursday that Israeli settlers had set fire to homes and cars in the West Bank village of Silwad, the latest attack in the occupied territory. Khamis Ayyad, 41, died from smoke inhalation due to the fires, the Palestinian health ministry said. Speaking Friday at a press conference in Chicago, Ayyad's family said he had moved to the West Bank several years ago with his wife and children, but continued to work for an American company. He is at least the second American citizen killed in West Bank settler violence in July, after a 20-year-old man was beaten to death while visiting family in the town of Sinjil. Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, demanded Israel investigate that killing, calling it a "criminal and terrorist act," but has yet to comment on the death of Ayyad. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military said "several suspects ... set fire to property and vehicles in the Silwad area," but forces dispatched to the scene were unable to identify them. It added that Israeli police had launched an investigation. Asked for comment on the latest death, a State Department spokesperson said, "We can confirm the death of a U.S. citizen in the town of Silwad in the West Bank," without naming Ayyad. "We condemn criminal violence by any party in the West Bank," the spokesperson said, on condition of anonymity. The West Bank is home to some three million Palestinians, who live alongside about 500,000 Israeli settlers. Violence in the territory has surged throughout the Gaza war, triggered by Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel.
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
For the EU, 'ending impunity is essential for Lebanon's recovery'
On the fifth anniversary of the devastating explosion that occurred at Beirut Port on Aug. 4, 2020, the European Union and its member states reaffirmed in a statement "their solidarity with the families of the victims and all those whose lives, homes and livelihoods were tragically affected by the explosion." "We welcome the steps taken in recent months that have allowed progress in the investigation, in accordance with the government's ministerial declaration," the statement added. "We call on the competent authorities to ensure that the conditions are met so that the investigation can be carried out thoroughly, impartially and transparently, so that the families of the victims and the Lebanese people can obtain the justice they deserve." "Ending impunity is essential for Lebanon's recovery, and this requires an independent and competent judiciary, free from any political interference," the EU statement continued. "We hope that the recently adopted law on the independence of the judiciary will help to achieve this objective."
Nahar Net
5 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Lebanon receives 'final' US paper as Aoun tells Hezbollah 'cooperation is only option'
Lebanon receives 'final' US paper as Aoun tells Hezbollah 'cooperation is only option' The Lebanese Presidency has told Hezbollah that cooperation with the state is its only option, ahead of Tuesday's crucial cabinet session on its weapons, Lebanese sources said. 'Hezbollah is in a state of shock over its allies' public calls for the monopolization of weapons,' the sources told Al-Arabiya's Al-Hadath channel. 'The final version of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's ideas was delivered to Lebanon today,' the sources added. 'The speech of President Joseph Aoun and placing the arms file on cabinet's agenda have created a popular and political momentum supportive of the state,' the sources went on to say.
