Visitors to Dar al-Fatwa Agree on 'Calm, Prudence' Post Hariri's Resignation

Dar Al-Fatwa, the highest Sunni authority in Lebanon, witnessed crowds of visitors for the third day in a row on Wednesday, most notably ex-President Amin Gemayel, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and French Ambassador Bruno Foucher in the wake of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's sudden resignation.

The visitors have unanimously agreed on temporizing measures and the importance of not taking any formal steps until Hariri's return. They assured to al-Joumhouria daily that they all agree on one rhetoric of “maintaining calm and prudence.”

“We understood from Grand Mufti Abdul Latif Daryan that contacts are ongoing between Dar el-Fatwa, the Presidency and Speaker of the House of Representatives. They all agree on the need for consensus to strengthen the spirit of calm as each party is aware of the seriousness of the situation in Lebanon,” the visitors were quoted as saying.

They pointed out that most of visitors of Dar al-Fatwa have insisted on the “safety" of Prime Minister Hariri as some were overwhelmed with shock over his sudden resignation, the daily added.

However, the Mufti did not mention any direct contact with Hariri.

The Mufti has acknowledged the existence of a “missing link” unknown to everyone which can only be clarified personally from Hariri after his return from Saudi Arabia.

On Saturday, Hariri unexpectedly announced his resignation from Saudi Arabia and in a televised speech accused Iran of meddling in Arab affairs and the Iran-backed Hizbullah group of holding Lebanon hostage.

The resignation was seen as a reflection of growing tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran, its archrival in the region.

After Hariri's resignation, rumors spread in Lebanon that he was under house arrest in Saudi Arabia — especially after news broke over the weekend of arrests in the kingdom of dozens of Saudi princes, ministers and influential businessmen in a sweep purportedly over corruption.