Samar Yahya Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Lebanese Consul General Ziad Atallah hosted a reception ceremony in honor of his country's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Deryan in the consulate premises here on Monday evening. Sheikh Deryan was in the city after presiding over the first session of the International Conference on Islam and Confronting Terrorism in Makkah. Atallah expressed his honor at receiving Sheikh Deryan. He said: “We are honored today to receive Sheikh Deryan among the unified Lebanese community in Jeddah. “We are pleased to support you in your speeches that gather and collects all the Lebanese people. “We are all supporting you in your moderate speeches that are always themed with justice tolerance, consensus and dialogue.” Atallah commended Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Salman and the Saudi state for the continuous support always paid to Lebanon. The guests were top Saudi personnel and businessmen, Arab consuls general along with Lebanese businessmen and members of the Lebanese community. Sheikh Deryan addressed guests confirming the essential supporting role of Saudi Arabia in Lebanon. “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was and always boosting Lebanon's stability, safety, security and unity of all Lebanese. “Saudi Arabia always supports all Arabs and boosts the joint efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council and confronts whoever thinks of affecting Gulf countries, Arab countries and Lebanon in particular.” Deryan also praised Lebanon Prime Minister Tammam Salam for his efforts on behalf of his country. Deryan expressed optimism over the efforts of former Lebanese leader Saad Al-Hariri to form an accord between Hezbollah and the Al-Mustaqbal movement. Lebanon's Higher Islamic Council elected Sheikh Deryan as the new grand mufti in August. Deryan has to his credit several books on Islam.
