BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Abdel-Latif Derian launched a scathing attack against the Free Patriotic Movement and its allies Friday, accusing them of obstructing the work of vital government institutions.

“We are totally convinced that those disrupting [state] institutions are the oppressors, not the oppressed, and they are losers in front of God and the future,” Derian said in a veiled reference to the FPM and other March 8 parties which have stood with it during the recent Cabinet crisis.

“Lebanon has suffered a major persistent national problem for decades each time a [political] party decries the policy of deprivation and injustice,” Derian said in his sermon Friday during early morning Eid al-Fitr prayers at Mohammad al-Amin Mosque in Downtown Beirut which was attended by Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

He pointed out that the “new oppressed team” has for years insisted on accusing Muslims of extremism and being ISIS agents while another political team sought to “fight us in the framework of the fight against terrorism.”

“This is quite dangerous because a portion of our people have become provoked, and we have felt we are being targeted since 10 years ago, but for the sake of the country’s religious and national interests we have enjoyed a high degree of responsibility.”

Derian stressed that “we have no blood on our hands or hatred in our hearts, while those urging [sectarian] strife have … blood-stained hands and are money [hungry].”

Nevertheless, the mufti called on all the Lebanese to rally behind their country.

“Come let us all go back to the language of reason and national interest,” he said.

Derian hailed Salam, who is at loggerheads with FPM leader Michel Aoun because the prime minister had rejected his demand to prioritize the issue of key security and military appointments.

Aoun has been lobbying for the appointment of his son-in-law, Shamel Roukoz, as Army chief.

“We are with him [Salam] and we support him to continue the work of the government,” Derian said.

“The government needs to keep up its work and keep shouldering national and constitutional responsibilities.”

Derian said the strategy of “caution” adopted by Salam should not be taken as “weakness or an act of surrender.”