Qabbani: Lebanon's plight responsibility of leaders, citizens

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani blamed Sunday the deteriorating situation in the country on political leaders and Lebanese who have accepted repression, adding that Lebanon needs an electoral law that guarantees true representation. “The deterioration in the country is not the responsibility of the current president or the one before him. It is not the responsibility of the current government or the one before it,” Qabbani said in his sermon on the occasion of the first day of Eid al-Fitr. “It is the responsibility of each and every one, every Lebanese who has accepted repression in his country. It is the responsibility of every citizen who failed to ask for his rights,” he added. “It is the responsibility of every politician who incites people against each other and every leader who pushes people to dig the country’s grave,” Qabbani said. Qabbani also described attempts to ignite conflict on the streets between people as "a project for strife.” Additionally, the mufti spoke about the phenomenon of road-blocking and the proliferation of arms in the country, saying: “Every time you block the roads you destroy bridges of communication between the country and every time you carry arms you assassinate your country.” “How can the citizen be happy this Eid with the problems of the world being transported to his land, even as Lebanon's problems are enough for the world?” he asked during the ceremony, which was attended by Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Among the attendees were Information Minister Walid Daouk and Education Minister Hassan Diab. Qabbani also said that a new electoral law in Lebanon should guarantee true representation of the Lebanese, saying, “We don't need an election law that eliminates the other but one that guarantees true representation of everyone.” From dailystar