Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam received the Mufti of Zahle and the Bekaa, Sheikh Ali al-Ghazawi, and the Mufti of Baalbek-Hermel, Sheikh Bakr al-Rifai, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Judge Mahmoud Makkiyah.
After the meeting, Mufti al-Rifai said:
"During our visit to His Excellency the Prime Minister, we stressed the need to respect the state, its institutions and presidencies, as well as the need to respect religious symbols. Just as the state pursues those who open fire, it must also move swiftly to pursue those who spread rumors and offend religious symbols, because civil peace is a red line that no one should cross.
We then raised with His Excellency the issue of a general amnesty, which has become a necessity and a need for all Lebanese. His Excellency confirmed that the matter is being followed up and that we will soon reach a happy conclusion, and that the injustice suffered by those who have been wronged for long periods of time will soon come to an end, God willing. This gives us cause for optimism, with His help.
There was also a broad discussion about the region and what is taking place in it. We ask Almighty God for safety, for the attacks to stop, and for there to be a permanent ceasefire, so that this country can regain its health and move forward anew."
Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam also received today a delegation from the Union of Municipalities of Beirut's Southern Suburbs, headed by the union's president, Mr. Mohammad Dergham, and including the director of the union's engineering office, Dr. Qassem Rahhal, and the union's director, Mr. Mohammad Nabbouh, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Higher Relief Commission, Brigadier Bassam Nabulsi.
The meeting discussed ways to preserve the public safety of residents living near buildings threatened with collapse as a result of the Israeli attacks.
Prime Minister Salam instructed the Higher Relief Commission to follow up immediately with the Union of Municipalities to address these risks and take the necessary measures.
