President of the National Dialogue Party, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, visited His Eminence Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, at Dar Al-Fatwa. He was accompanied by the President of the National Dialogue Party’s Political Bureau, former Ambassador Dr. Bassam Naamani; the party’s Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Duraid Oweidat; the party’s Administrative Director, Mr. Talal Qaisi; Supreme Islamic Sharia Council member Kamel Dimyati; and the Deputy Chairman of the Zakat Fund at Dar Al-Fatwa and Director of the Makhzoumi Foundation, Samer Safah. They discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region.
Following the meeting, Makhzoumi said that the visit was intended to extend congratulations to His Eminence and to all Lebanese on the occasion of Christmas and the arrival of the New Year, expressing hope that it would be a year of goodness, blessings, and peace.
He said he had discussed three main issues with the Grand Mufti: disarmament, the allocation of $90 million from the budget reserve for reconstruction, and the financial gap law.
Regarding disarmament, Makhzoumi stressed that the government has a clear and explicit plan to disarm armed groups, beginning south of the Litani River and extending across all Lebanese territory. He noted that Sheikh Naim Qassem repeatedly argues that the agreement does not stipulate such a requirement. However, all relevant decisions and agreements—including the Taif Agreement, Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701, and the cessation of hostilities agreement between Lebanon and Israel dated November 27, 2024—are clear in calling for the withdrawal of weapons and for arms to be placed exclusively under state authority, not only south of the Litani River but throughout the entire country.
Makhzoumi expressed hope that there would be a moment of realization and that these weapons, which have devastated the country, would be surrendered out of compassion for the Lebanese people, allowing the country to begin rebuilding and attracting investment.
Regarding the allocation of $90 million from the budget reserve to the Council of the South for reconstruction, Makhzoumi posed the following question to the Prime Minister: “Where does the capital, Beirut, stand in all of this? Why is no specific amount being allocated to address the capital’s crises and problems, including infrastructure and water services, and to support the Municipal Guard and the Fire Brigade?”
He expressed hope that the matter would be reconsidered.
As for the financial gap law, which the government is discussing before submitting it to Parliament, Makhzoumi expressed hope that the legislation would be fair and equitable and serve the interests of depositors, who have been waiting for six years following the financial crime described as the “theft of the century,” involving more than $140 billion.
He stressed that this issue cannot be approached on the basis that the proposed measures represent the maximum that can be done. He affirmed that he and his colleagues would remain vigilant in Parliament to ensure that the law is enacted in a manner that serves the interests of all Lebanese.