Head of the Future bloc in Parliament MP Saad Rafic Hariri said the Lebanese are committed to achieving sovereignty, independence and freedom, and want to live in peace with their neighbors, at a forum with journalists and academics in Washington, where he is expected to meet US President George W. Bush this week. MP Hariri said he will thank the US President for his country’s support of Lebanon, and urged the international community to give the Lebanese time to engage in national dialogue over sensitive matters.
At the forum, which was held in the Wilson Center and attended by Deputy House Speaker Fareed Makari, MP Bassem Sabeh, former MP Ghattas Khoury and a large number of US and Arab media networks and academics, said the Lebanese opened a new page in their history following the withdrawal of Syrian troops, and attempts to destroy the country’s democracy, during the civil war, have failed due to the resolve of the Lebanese. Mr. Hariri pointed out that the Lebanon is a small country in which many sects live together, and the day that former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri was assassinated the Lebanese said enough to occupation, demanding the truth behind the murder. Mr. Hariri stressed that the Lebanese want to live in peace with all their neighbors and believe in freedom, like the late Premier did. He made clear that punishing the perpetrators of Prime Minister Hariri’s assassination will serve as a lesson in Lebanon and the region.
Asked about World Bank support for Lebanon and the government’s reform pledge, MP Hariri said the government had drafted a plan but regrettably some ministers have walked out from Cabinet, and when the matter is resolved, discussions will continue on holding an international conference in support of Lebanon. He stressed that the country is ready to implement reforms, especially after the last elections that brought a clear majority to Parliament.
In response to a question about whether he views Hizbollah as a militia or as a resistance movement and about the group’s arms, MP Hariri said Hizbollah gained a large parliamentary bloc in legislative elections, and part of the group is armed, however the other is social and economic that has provided services to the Lebanese. He also highlighted the need for dialogue among the Lebanese. Regarding Lebanese identity and ties with Syria, MP Hariri said all parties should put Lebanon at the top of their agenda, and said both the Amal Movement and Hizbollah do not intend to serve the interests of any regional party at the expense of Lebanon. He told the forum that for the first time in Lebanon, the Lebanese are themselves discussing sensitive and difficult matters.
Regarding close Syrian-Iranian ties in light of the Iranian nuclear crisis, MP Hariri made clear that Lebanon is a small country that is impacted by its environment, and urged Syria and Iran to comply with international resolutions. In response to a question about Lebanese democracy and the presence of a “dictatorial” regime in Syria that will not allow it to thrive, MP Hariri said democracy is much stronger than any dictatorship, and called for unity to protect Lebanese democracy, which withstood eighty five years of challenges.
MP Hariri was asked if he believed a US-Syrian deal is in the making over Lebanon’s future, he said he did not believe so and cited US backing for Lebanon. He stressed that no deal can be made over Lebanese sovereignty, independence and freedom, although some wish this could happen, but it will not.
Commenting on Syrian President Bashar Assad’s speech last week in which he accused some in Lebanon of working to destabilize Syria, MP Hariri pointed out that it was Lebanon which continues to suffer from assassinations and bombings, and asked who is working to destabilize the other. Regarding President Assad’s opposition to the demarcation of the Syrian-Lebanese border at the Shebaa Farms, Mr. Hariri said it is in Lebanon’s interest to draw the frontier, since the conflict there should be resolved. He explained that once Lebanon regains its territory, it will show the world that it is legally defending its land.
Regarding a Saudi initiative to reduce tensions, MP Hariri praised Saudi Arabia and King Abdullah for their constant backing of Lebanese stability, and told the forum that Lebanon wants good ties with Syria based on the respect of its sovereignty and independence. Asked about former Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam’s recent statements against the Syrian regime, MP Hariri said what is important is Mr. Khaddam’s testimony to the Untied Nations team investigating Premier Hariri’s assassination. He pointed out that the former Syrian Vice President had served in his country for more than three decades.
He was also asked about his return to Lebanon. MP Hariri said he delayed his return following the assassination of MP Gebran Tueini, but told the forum that he will go back soon.