NNA - Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdellatif Derian on Monday upped calls for the protection of the military and security institutions in Lebanon and for filling the vacant posts.

"Had it not been for the wisdom and national responsibility these institutions and their commands enjoy, Lebanon would have witnessed internal strife in Qornet el-Sawda and Akkar, and in Khaldeh, Tayouneh, and other Lebanese regions," said Derian.

"The army guarding the nation and its borders in the face of the Israeli enemy must be supported in all fields," he stressed.

Touching on the financial situation, Derian voiced concerns of a financial crisis after the expiry of the term of the central bank's governor.

His remarks came during the meetings he held at Dar-al-Fatwa today, respectively, with Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and a delegation of officers, and Internal Security Forces Chief Major General Imad Othman.

Derian also met today with Lebanon's Ambassador to Algeria Mohammad Hassan.

============R.A.H.