"There would either be two muftis or Learned Elders of Islams would make a last-minute interference to find a settlement," al-Akhbar quoted informed sources as saying.
But Dar al-Fatwa officials said no solution was looming in the horizon.
The dispute between the council led by Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani
... Grand Mufti of Lebanon and the most prominent Sunni Muslim cleric in the country. An assassination attempt against Qabbani was foiled by Leb internal security forces in 2009 as part of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Beirut. In an interview broadcast in 2012, Qabbani stated that Jews were behind secularism, because they opposed the authority of the church, against Christianity.He also suggested that the attacks of September 11, 2001 were
orchestratedby Jews in order
to justify the persecution of Muslims worldwide.Qabbani is against the legalization of civil marriage in Lebanon. He has issued a fatwa declaring any Muslim politician who approves civil marriage legislation an apostate. Surprisingly, he is not considered very much of a nut by Moslem standards.
and that of his deputy Omar Misqawi is the result of political interferences.
The Higher Islamic Council -- which elects the Mufti and organizes Dar al-Fatwa's affairs -- became the center of controversy in 2012 after 21 of its members, who are close to al-Mustaqbal
... the Future Movement, political party led by Saad Hariri...
movement, extended its term until 2015 despite Qabbani's objection.
The Mufti later held elections for the Council, which were deemed illegal by ex-PMs Saniora and
Najib Miqati, and the group led by Misqawi, who argued that the polls violated Shura Council decisions and did not enjoy a legal quorum.On Thursday, the two councils called for the election of a Mufti before the expiry of his term on Sept. 15.
Mount Leb Mufti Sheikh Mohammed al-Jouzo told the Saudi Okaz daily that the invitation for the election of a grand mufti by Qabbani's council came in conformity with decree 18 of the by-laws which had been announced by Qabbani.
"We shouldn't focus on the details as long as his term is nearing to end because any dispute on the issue would reflect negatively on the Sunni sect in Leb," he said.
Former Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss has also defended the decision of Qabbani's council to call for elections.