The head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Sheikh Ali al-Khatib, has emphasized that "the unity of the Shite stance is sacred at this critical stage," warning that "there are those who want to create division, incite sensitivities, and stir up trouble among the sons of the sect by digging up the unfortunate past."

"There are those working today to dig up the past; why are you digging up the past and reminding us of inter-Shiite fighting? Why remind us of it after we worked for the unity of Lebanon?” asked Khatib in a speech in the Baalbek town of Younine during a memorial ceremony.