BEIRUT: Senior Shiite cleric Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah discussed domestic issues and the role of the new government with Minister of State Adnan Sayyed Hussein Wednesday.

Fadlallah said the most important role of the new government was to protect Lebanon’s peace and its social and economic security. He also stressed that the ministers should cooperate with each other to solve the problems that have been weighing heavy on the people.

“The Cabinet represents a unity, especially in vital and strategic affairs,” he said. Fadlallah then referred to the matter of public debt and feared that Lebanon would go bankrupt if the problem was not solved. Fadlallah also met with Chantal Shedid, the program coordinator from the drug combating organization Skoun.

He called on the new government during the meeting to fight the growing phenomenon of drug abuse by taking preventive measures.

“Drug addicts belong in rehabilitation centers with which the government and NGOs should collaborate,” he said.