Shiaa Council hopes Arab summit will prevent negative repercussions for Lebanon

Source: nowlebanon.com, 12-03-2009

The Higher Shiaa Islamic Council said it hoped inter-Arab reconciliation would pave the way for a new phase of cooperation, and would reflect positively on the Arab summit scheduled to be held in Qatar at the end of the month.

A statement issued on Thursday read that the council also hoped the summit would address controversial Arab issues, and would prevent such disagreement from having negative repercussions for Lebanon.

The council's statement condemned the International Criminal Court's issuing of an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, calling it a double standard.

"The decision aims to subdue Sudan to colonial domination, divide it and plunder its resources."
The council welcomed the national dialogue's call for maintaining a calm atmosphere in the run-up to the upcoming parliamentary so people would vote responsibly.

Voting was a democratic right, the council said, adding that it was concerned there would be attempts to exploit underprivileged citizens.

The council called on the cabinet to approve the 2009 draft budget, including the budget for the Council of the South, and to pay attention to people's needs.