Beirut, Jumada II 09, 1436, March 29, 2015, SPA -- Lebanese Mufti Sheikh Abdullatif Derian expressed his thanks to and appreciation of the role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in defense of the Arab and Muslim issues, especially the Palestinian cause. In a statement given today, Derian said that the Arab region is passing critical and precise circumstances, which need from all of us to meet and prevent this ugly sectarian rhetoric and strife from devastating our region, stressing the full support for the Arab unity and solidarity, as well as the establishment of a joint Arab force to defend the Arab security and maintain the sovereignty of Arab states. -- SPA 23:58 LOCAL TIME 20:58 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w