Politicians’ heading to Dar al-Fatwa in wake of Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s surprise resignation over the weekend reflected the prominent role the institution is playing in efforts to resolve the ensuing crisis. Prominent ministers and Lebanese leaders had flocked to Dar al-Fatwa since Hariri’s announcement on Saturday. On Tuesday, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan held talks with Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, former President Amin Gemayel and French Ambassador Bruno Foucher. Sources from Dar al-Fatwa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the visits reflected a commitment to national unity given the current situation, stressing that the talks are aimed at bringing together various positions. Daryan expressed to his visitors his appreciation for the stance of President Michel Aoun and Speaker Nabih Berri, who both called for patience in tackling the crisis. He hoped that all political powers would “adopt further patience and wisdom to overcome this national affair.” Commenting on Dar al-Fatwa’s role in ending the impasse, sources said that this reflected the institution’s historic and national role whereby it takes action during major crises. Dar al-Fatwa plays a unifying role in Lebanon and the Mufti’s guidance has contributed in cementing this role, the sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. After meeting Daryan, Bassil said: “It is natural for the Free Patriotic Movement, through a delegation that represents its diversity, to visit Dar al-Fatwa because it is not only a religious authority, but a national one.” In addition, this institution issued a statement on Saturday that reflected the views of all Lebanese people when it expressed its surprise, shock and concern over the resignation, he continued. The Mufti voiced the negative sentiment of the Lebanese towards the resignation, but it also revealed a positive factor, which is the people’s “very spontaneous” show of unity in the current crisis, noted the minister. “We are faced with a major national moment and we can say that this crisis can be transformed into a real opportunity for unity... All the Lebanese are affected by the crisis,” stated Bassil. He therefore stressed the need for cooperation to reach an understanding and overcome the current crisis and pave the way for a new phase in Lebanon. For his part, Geagea told reporters after meeting Daryan that he hoped officials would adopt the Mufti’s balanced approach in tackling the crisis. “We spoke at length about the situation and God willing it can be overcome with calm and hard work,” he stated. Gemayel meanwhile stressed the importance of consultations to resolve the impasse, underlining the importance of Lebanese unity and the need to preserve political, security and economic stability.