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Safadi: Hariri’s Remarks of Incitement Pose Security Threat to Me and Miqati

Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi slammed on Wednesday former Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s “inciting remarks” against Premier Najib Miqati and himself on Tuesday, saying they “will provoke people against each other in Tripoli and other areas.”

“We had hoped that Hariri would have attended the parliament sessions to grant cabinet confidence instead of talking about in Paris through statements that don’t reflect his position,” said his press office in a statement.

“Hariri did not have to resort to inciting sectarian instincts in order to wage a campaign against Miqati and Safadi,” it continued.

“Through such practices, he is tarnishing the legacy of his father all for uncovering the truth behind his assassination,” he remarked.

“Hariri did not present an opposition plan to topple the government because he wants to do so through street action and not through parliament,” the minister added.

“It’s unfortunate that Hariri had made such offensive statements against Miqati and Safadi. We can overlook personal insults, but we will not allow Tripoli’s dignity to be attacked,” the statement said.

“Tripoli doesn’t belong to anyone or the Sunni sect,” it declared.

“Just as no one is greater than his country, no one is greater than their sect,” it stressed.

“Despite their security implications, Hariri’s statements of incitement against Miqati and Safadi also incite the residents of Tripoli and other areas against each other,” it noted.

The statement added: “The history of Sunni leaders has never witnessed such remarks of incitement because the Sunnis don’t discriminate against others.”

“Lebanon is in need of asserting its national unity through words and actions and not base rhetoric that takes it several steps back,” it concluded.


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