Hariri Ready to 'Work Together' with Hizbullah on 'Things that Can Serve Lebanon'
Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said that he has joined a coalition government with Hizbullah after he and the Iran-backed party “decided together to put aside” their differences and “work together on big or small things that can serve Lebanon.”
Asked about being in a government with a party accused of murdering his father, ex-PM Rafik Hariri, Hariri told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper that “this can be done in one way.”
“The Prime Minister thinks about Lebanon's interest and finding the appropriate formula for the consensus that will allow to manage the country's problems. Saad Hariri, the son of Rafik Hariri, trusts the judiciary system and he has confidence in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which has to condemn the criminals,” Hariri added, according to an English-language transcript of the interview.
As for U.S. President Donald Trump's escalation against Iran and the possible repercussions on Lebanon, Hariri said: “We want good relations with all countries in the region, and we hope that in the midst of the confrontation between the United States and Iran, we will avoid any negative repercussions on our country.”
“However, I also say that interference in the internal affairs of Arab countries is absolutely unacceptable, and Iran should play a positive role that will help in economic development and security and not contribute to destabilization,” Hariri added.
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