BEIRUT: A delegation from the Higher Islamic Council Monday discussed with Prime Minister Najib Mikati the possibility of holding a council session attended by Mikati and former prime ministers.

“This has not happened so far because of the well-known circumstances that prevent the council from convening at Dar al-Fatwa,” said Omar Miskawi, the deputy head of the council.

Major internal divisions began to emerge when 21 members of the Higher Islamic Council last year extended the term of the council until the end of 2013.

Grand Mufti Mohammad Qabbani argues that the extension is illegal and that the council’s term has expired. He refuses to hold any meetings at Dar al-Fatwa and has called for elections of council members to be held on April 14.

“The starting point to any solution that we would accept should be [acknowledging] that that Higher Islamic Council is present and its term has been extended till the end of the year,” Miskawi said after meeting Mikati.