Head of the Future bloc in Parliament MP Saad Rafic Hariri received strong support from world leaders and top-level participants at the United Nations World Summit and the General Assembly’s 60th session in New York.
For the third day running, Mr. Saad met senior delegates to the world body’s gathering. On Thursday, he held talks with members of the US Council on Foreign Relations at its headquarters. Discussions focused on the situation in Lebanon. Members of the prestigious Council, including senior experts in US foreign policy, asked MP Hariri about developments in Lebanon following the assassination of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, and the ensuing “Cedar Uprising” of March 14, as well as recent parliamentary elections and the changes that occurred. Council members maintained that the situation in the country is now delicate and stressed that everyone awaits the results of a UN-commissioned investigation into the February 14 car bombing that killed the late Premier.
MP Hariri was also invited by French Prime Minister Dominique De Villepin to attend a meeting of Francophone leaders who are participating in the General Assembly’s sixth session at the UN. United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan participated in part of the meeting. Mr. Saad praised historic ties with France and the personal relationship that President Jacques Chirac and the murdered Prime Minister enjoyed. He told reporters that today’s meeting served to strengthen ties with Francophone leaders. Asked why he left before the arrival of President Emile Lahoud, who is also in New York, Mr. Saad said he had scheduled appointments, and made clear that he was invited by Prime Minister De Villepin while President Lahoud represents Lebanon at the gathering. In response to a question on what impressions world leaders have about Lebanon, MP Hariri said they believe that Lebanon has overcome major difficulties in the past six months- since the assassination of the martyred Prime Minister, the withdrawal of Syrian forces from the country, and recent legislative elections, adding Lebanon is now approaching a new phase after the results of the UN probe are announced.
Later, MP Hariri met Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf at the UN building. The Pakistani leader described the murdered Premier as his brother and said his killing was a great tragedy. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the international probe into the bombing and for punishing the perpetrators of the terrorist attack. President Musharraf also welcomed Lebanon’s democratic drive and expressed full backing for MP Hariri, who described bilateral Lebanese-Pakistani ties as great. The MP expressed backing for the Pakistani President.
Also in New York, Mr. Saad met Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Gheit in the presence of Egypt’s permanent delegate to the UN, Ambassador Majed Abdel Fattah. They discussed developments in Lebanon and the region.
At the UN building, MP Hariri later met Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis who told him that his late father had served Lebanon until his death and reaffirmed Greece’s support for Lebanon at the Security Council and the European Union. Greece is currently a UN Security Council member. The head of the Future bloc also held brief encounters with a large number of participants at the UN meetings. They supported Lebanon and the efforts of Mr. Saad, who visited Morocco’s mission to the UN. He was received by Moroccan Prime Minister Driss Jettou in the presence of Morocco’s permanent delegate to the UN Mr. Mohammed bin Nona Jettou.
The Moroccan Premier described his ties with MP Hariri, like his late father, as very strong. He stressed that the assassinated Prime Minister was a friend of Morocco and its kings, especially King Mohammed the Sixth. Discussions at the meeting focused on bilateral ties. Mr. Jettou expressed support for MP Hariri’s political efforts and Lebanon’s freedom. He also invited Mr. Saad to visit Morocco soon. The senior Moroccan official voiced support for revealing the truth behind the February assassination.
Late on Thursday, MP Hariri visited Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz at his residence at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. They held talks on the latest regional and international developments.