BEIRUT: The Higher Shiite Islamic Council

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 BEIRUT: The Higher Shiite Islamic Council held its ordinary session on Tuesday and praised Lebanon’s stability but warned of Israeli violations.

The council’s meeting was headed by Sheikh Abdel-Amir Qabalan and it expressed its relief towards the current climate of political stability and agreement between the Lebanese.

However, it warned of Israel’s violations to Resolution 1701, saying Israel aimed at destroying civil peace. It added that the international community was biased concerning Resolution 1559.

The council then called for a positive development in Lebanon’s relation with Syria and asked the Lebanese to work together during the coming municipal elections.

Hamas: US unfit as peace mediator

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A spokesman for the Hamas movement says the administration of US President Barack Obama lacks credibility as a mediator in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Speaking on Tuesday, senior Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri criticized President Obama’s statement on the occasion of Nakba Day, saying the US leader’s remarks only reaffirmed his administration’s favoritism toward Israel.

Abu Zuhri also said that Washington was not fit to play the role of an “honest broker” in the peace process between Israel and Palestine.

“Obama’s statement was a clear message to all Arab parties concerned with the peace process not to bet on the American role in this regard,” he said.

President Obama issued a statement on Tuesday, reaffirming the United States’ “unbreakable bond” with Israel, adding that Washington is confident the relationship “will only be strengthened” into the future.

Israel’s establishment on May 14, 1948, which according to the Jewish calendar corresponds to April 20 this year, is called “al-Nakba” or the Day of National Catastrophe by Palestinians.

More than 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from their villages and towns and forced to live in refugee camps. This year marks the 62nd anniversary of Nakba Day.