Lebanon: Corruption by the Grand Mufti?

The Daily Star reports that Grand Mufti Mohammad Rashid Qabbani, head of the Dar al-Fatwa council, has been urged to respond to allegations of corruption by Former Prime Minister Salim Hoss.  Media sources report that Hoss’ allegations were made in Dar al-Fatwa, the highest Sunni authority.  Hoss’ condemnation of Qabbani, followed fall media campaigns questioning Dar al-Fatwa’s financial integrity and transparency and accusing the Grand Mufti of embezzling thousands of dollars from the aforementioned council in 2009.  The Daily Star reports that Hoss’ letter asks for a resolution to the allegations against the Grand Mufti, though he remains skeptical of Qabbani’s innocence, “Keeping quiet about this issue for so long proves that the accusations are true.” Hoss openly expresses his fear that a failure to resolve the issue of Qabbani’s integrity will lead to sectarian violence, “I am afraid that a decision to remain in your post, which you are no longer worthy of, would be cause for sectarian strife within the ranks of your confession.”