Khatib warns some are trying to sow discord among Shiites

The head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, has emphasized that "the unity of the Shite stance is sacred at this critical stage," warning that "there are those who want to create division, incite sensitivities, and stir up trouble among the sons of the sect by digging up the unfortunate past."

"There are those working today to dig up the past; why are you digging up the past and reminding us of inter-Shiite fighting? Why remind us of it after we worked for the unity of Lebanon?” asked Khatib in a speech in the Baalbek town of Younine during a memorial ceremony.

Addressing political rivals, he added: “We could have taken your path and dealt with the United States, submitting to it and to the Israeli enemy. However, we refused because we want to work for the interest of Lebanon and the Lebanese, and for the survival of Lebanon."

He added: "The Shiites did not fight for sectarian causes; the Shiites fought for national causes. Did you protect them from the Israeli enemy, and what did you give to the Shiites? The reconstruction of the South was done at the hands of the southerners, and development was carried out by the people of Jabal Amel. If there was development as well, Speaker Nabih Berri did great work in the Lebanese south, building schools, extending drinking water, and rehabilitating roads, and were it not for Speaker Berri, none of this would have been achieved."

"Today, they are trying to reignite strife among our people -- between Amal Movement and Hezbollah,” Khatib lamented.

He added: “At a time when we’re facing an existential threat, we must maintain our unity, and without Shiite unity, Lebanon will end. That is why they are focusing on us."

Khatib also stressed "the priority of solidarity and mutual assistance," pointing out that "there are orphans, widows,and displaced people."

"There are displaced people who have no home -- their homes were destroyed -- and we do not rely on this State to do anything … We want the Prime Minister's visit to south Lebanon to yield actions for the displaced, for shelter, reconstruction, schools, and necessary aid, but we see nothing but visits,” Khatib decried.

“We are not negative toward anyone, and we call on the State to come to the South and to our villages in the Bekaa to help this community," he urged.

He added: "This (ruling) authority is not the authority of a single sect, nor is it the authority of a party or faction. You are a Lebanese government that must deal with this sect on the basis of citizenship, far from fanaticism, and not on the basis of external orders."