World Bulletin/News Desk

Lebanon’s new Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian slammed "extremism" in the region.

“The elections express the strong will of all Muslims in Lebanon, to confront the problem and straighten the course,” Derian said in his speech after the results were announced, according to Al arabiya report.

Derian, who received 74 votes out of the 93 votes cast in the election, will officially begin his term on Sept. 15. He was up against the head of the Sunni Court in Baabda, Judge Sheikh Ahmad Darwish al-Kurdi, who received nine votes.

“Our religion is a religion of moderation, tolerance and coexistence,” Derian said, stressing that extremism was never good for Muslims and the Islamic world.