Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said Sunday that the elections for the 32-member Higher Islamic Council were legitimate and a decision by the Shura Council to cancel the polls was not binding

Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani said Sunday that the elections for the 32-member Higher Islamic Council were legitimate and a decision by the Shura Council to cancel the polls was not binding.

In remarks after the elections kicked off, Qabbani said: “The polls are legitimate and we are not concerned with the opinion of the Shura Council.” “Our hand is extended to everyone,” he said. “We don't have political differences with anyone.”

Qabbani said candidates in Beirut, Sidon, Mount Lebanon, Hasbaya-Marjayoun and Akkar won uncontested and that the electoral battle was underway in Bekaa and Tripoli.

Later on Sunday, the boycotters of the elections held a meeting at the office of the head of the Administrative and Financial Committee Bassam Barghout in the Beirut neighborhood of Sanayeh.

“We praise everyone who boycotted this election and withdrew from the polls which can only take place through the unity of the institution,” the statement added. They urged former prime ministers to act and announced that the council will remain in a state of permanent convention.