President of the National Dialogue Party, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, visited the Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, at Dar al-Fatwa. He was accompanied by Diplomatic Adviser and former Ambassador Dr. Bassam al-Naamani, Talal al-Qaisi, Executive Vice President of the National Dialogue Party’s Administrative Board, and Samer al-Safah, Director General of the Makhzoumi Foundation. They discussed matters concerning Dar al-Fatwa and the general situation in the country.

Following the meeting, Makhzoumi said that the visit was intended to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon. He extended his condolences to the families of those killed in Lebanon as a result of the heinous Israeli attacks.

Makhzoumi renewed his solidarity with the people of Gaza and expressed his support for the historic resolutions adopted at the extraordinary summit held in Riyadh. He noted that these resolutions were now being followed up through a visit by a delegation of foreign ministers, led by Saudi Arabia, to China, with the aim of putting an end to the ongoing crime of genocide.

The discussion with His Eminence also addressed the southern border, where the conflict and tensions must be contained through the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. He stressed the need to task the Lebanese Army with protecting and securing the borders and preventing any violations along the Blue Line, in order to keep Lebanon out of any potential wars.

Makhzoumi emphasized the need to extend Army Commander General Joseph Aoun’s term by postponing his retirement until a President of the Republic is elected, thereby avoiding a leadership vacuum in the military institution as well.

On the economic front, Makhzoumi stated that the aim of the 2024 draft budget was to impose new taxes on citizens while reducing the tax burden on commercial enterprises in order to protect traders and preserve their interests.

Makhzoumi stressed that Dar al-Fatwa remains a key national institution and expressed surprise at the attacks directed against it during U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea’s visit to the Grand Mufti. He said it was clear that the aim of targeting Dar al-Fatwa was to weaken it, whereas what Lebanon needs is solidarity and unity, and an end to political populism in the interests of Lebanon and its people.