Lebanese Muslim clergymen against civil marriage plan

Mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Muhammad Rashid Qabbani and chairman of the higher Shiite council Sheikh Muhammad Mahdi Shamseddine on Friday stressed their opposition to the optional civil marriage plan endorsed Thursday by the Lebanese Cabinet.

In a joint statement following their meeting at al-Ifta' house yesterday, Qabbani and Shamseddine said this plan violates Muslim doctrines and religious commitments.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Agriculture Minister Shawqi Fakhouri said he regretted the statement made by Information Minister Bassem al-Sabaa in which he said that the Lebanese civil marriage plan had "infiltrated" the Cabinet. Following a meeting with President Hrawi, Fakhouri said this plan was endorsed within the context of constitutional framework with a majority of 21 ministers representing all Lebanese communities.