Sheik Qabalan calls for participation in Damascus Summit

Source: Nowlebanon, 17-03-2008
Deputy President of the Higher Shia Islamic Council Sheikh Abdel Amir Qabalan called on Lebanese leaders to moderate their statements and actions and "serve the political interests of their subjects." He called on all politicians to employ calm rhetoric and upright conduct.
Qabalan questioned the "sensitivity and hatred" towards Damascus and expressed his surprise at the refusal of some Lebanese to participate in the Damascus Summit despite widespread support for attendance. He urged the Lebanese to unite on all matters, including the election of a consensus president who would represent Lebanon at the summit and a national-unity government.
"If we do not join our brothers in Damascus, who will we join? 'Israel', which seize opportunities to attack Lebanon? We must cooperate with our Arab brothers in order to help Lebanon," Sheikh Qabalan said, noting Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Arab and Islamic countries' support for Lebanon.
"We will not forget their contributions to the reconstruction of Lebanon and demand the cessation of the aggression against Syria and our Arab and Muslim brothers," he concluded.