"They are still occupying them despite the Arab Ministerial Committee declaration that called to end the presence of armed groups on the streets and the civil disobedience campaign," Amin said.
He also denied having been informed by the Higher Islamic Shia Council's administrative committee of his replacement by Sheikh Hassan Abdullah, as some media outlets have claimed.
"Such a decision has no legal value, because the religious institution suggests names, and the state makes the official appointment," Amin said, adding that he is not holding on to his post and will not sacrifice his convictions and freedom to preserve it.
"I don't accept for the South to remain a battlefield, and I also don't accept for the Shia sect, including its religious institutions, to seek disagreements with other sects in this country and the Arab world," Amin said.
He added that the Higher Islamic Shia Council and its deputy president, Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan, are illegitimate, as their term ended years ago and because the council's elections were obstructed.
Amin said it is very strange that an illegitimate religious institution can accuse the government of being illegitimate.
He also expressed hope over the Arab initiative and called for solidarity and cooperation to make it successful.
Tags: source: Now Lebanon
