Al-Rahi, Qabbani Condemn Shatah Assassination, Hope Peace Will Be Restored in Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani condemned on Friday the assassination of former Finance Minister Mohammed Shatah, hoping that peace would be restored in Lebanon.

Al-Rahi said in a statement: “With his assassination, Lebanon lost a bright face of understanding and moderation.”

He slammed “all forms of murder, terrorism, and violence that target national and innocent figures.”

For his part, Qabbani noted that Shatah's assassination “emphasizes major fears of Lebanon's fall into the regional cycle of murder and destruction.”

He urged during this critical time, “all the faithful towards Lebanon to save the country and its people before it is too late.”

Al-Rahi and Qabbani offered their condolences to Shatah's family and to those of the victims.

Shatah was killed in a major car bombing in downtown Beirut on Friday.

At least six people were killed in the blast.