Head of the Future bloc in Parliament MP Saad Rafic Hariri met Jordan’s King Abdullah II and senior European and Asian officials in New York, where leaders from around the globe are attending the World Summit and the United Nations General Assembly’s 60th session.
On the final day of his trip to New York, MP Hariri met the UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari over a working breakfast, and discussed the progress that a UN-commissioned team has accomplished in its investigation into the February assassination of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Mr. Gambari also highlighted the need to implement all United Nations resolutions including Security Council Resolution 1559.
MP Hariri then headed to the United Nations headquarters, where he met Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdallah Badawi, who described his talks with Mr. Saad as very good and paid tribute to the murdered Premier, but vowed to press ahead with bolstering bilateral Malaysian-Lebanese relations. Prime Minister Badawi praised the current Lebanese government and said Malaysia has an experience in uniting its pluralistic and multi-confessional society. He invited MP Hariri to visit his country, and said Malaysia is “ready to do everything to help.”
Later, Mr. Saad visited Spain’s mission to the UN and met Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who said he was moved during the talks, citing his close friendship with the assassinated Prime Minister. Mr. Moratinos expressed strong support for Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s government and said he hoped the Lebanese will enjoy a future that is free of assassinations and be able to put behind them decades of suffering. He wished Mr. Saad and Premier Siniora success in helping accomplish Lebanese aspirations for freedom, peace and prosperity, while pledging Spanish support.
Developments in Lebanon and the international probe into the assassination of Premier Hariri also topped discussions that Mr. Saad held with the European Union’s High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Mr. Javier Solana. The EU foreign policy chief hailed the late Prime Minister and stressed that the UN-commissioned probe should be completed to punish the assassins and put them on trial.
Regarding EU support for Lebanon, Mr. Solana said the European Union has a clear mechanism that regulates ties with Beirut, but it could be boosted. He expressed confidence that the Lebanese government will propose necessary reforms, adding the EU will respond in a constructive and generous manner. Asked if he is concerned about Lebanon’s future, Mr. Solana said he met Lebanon’s “democratic” leaders last April and believed they can push the country forward.
In the afternoon, MP Hariri held talks with Jordanian King Abdullah II at his place of residence in the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Discussions focused on Arab and international developments.