Qabbani and Shamseddine warn of escalation in Lebanon

The head of Lebanon's High Islamic Shiite Council, Mohammed Mahdi Shamseddine, and the Mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani called for an immediate halt to the current political infighting in Lebanon.

Shamseddine said that national unity is an important condition for assuring Lebanon's strength in confronting Israeli aims that seek to divide the Lebanese.

In a joint statement released after the meeting between Shamseddine and Qabbani, Shamseddine expressed his astonishment that the issue of Jezzine is raised from time to time, out of Christian and factional context, considering that this is a misunderstanding and mismanagement, where Jezzine's security given equal consideration as the security of every Lebanese city whether its inhabitants are Christians or Moslem.

The Lebanese Daily Star reported that Jezzine has been the focus of political conflict recently as two children were killed in separate incidents by roadside bombs, sparking calls for the Lebanese government to assume authority in the city. A former Jezzine MP said that there have been no Israelis in Jezzine since 1985, while a current MP from Tyre said the city could not fall under government control as it is still occupied, the Daily Star said.

Shamseddine criticized all the parties who consider Jezzine the responsibility of the state and the resistance, as if Israel is totally out of this issue.

Shamseddine also called for the return of Jezzine's natives to the city, saying that Muslims' safety is at the top of Christian priorities, and the safety of Christians is at the top of Muslims' priorities.