BEIRUT: The Sunni Clerics Council expressed concern on Thursday over the turbulence being caused by uncertainty ahead of presidential elections set to be held in Parliament in mid-September. Presided over by Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani at Dar al-Fatwa, the council released a statement warning that the dispute between the opposition and the majority should not go beyond the Constitution, and should not reach the extent of obstructing the election process.

The council also expressed worry about the tone used by politicians, which it said sabotages the image of Lebanon.

"It is not acceptable to spread offensive accusations through the media with the aim of belittling others politically," it said.

The council also complained that the continuing opposition sit-in in Downtown Beirut was exposing the country to economic and social pressures.

In addition, the council expressed it support for the government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and denounced reported threats recently made against the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The body also expressed gratitude to the Lebanese Army for its efforts in combating Fatah al Islam militants at the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp near Tripoli.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdel-Amir Qabalan, vice president of the Higher Shiite Council, said Thursday during a ceremony of the 29th anniversary of the disappearance of Imam Moussa Sadr: "We demand a government of national unity, and demand a president by agreement. We hold no veto against anyone; the important thing is that the Lebanese people as a whole agree to the president."

"The liberation of Lebanon comes through unity and agreement," he added.

Sheikh Qabalan also congratulated the army for it efforts in fighting Fatah al-Islam  at Nahr al-Bared and called on the remaining militants to turn themselves in.

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