Naharnet

Hariri Lays Cornerstone for Emirati Embassy, Says UAE, KSA Will Always Support Lebanon

Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed Monday that the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf countries will always support Lebanon.

“Gulf states have always viewed Lebanon as a democratic country and they will always support the Lebanese people regardless of the political parties,” said Hariri during a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for the new building of the UAE embassy in Beirut, which he sponsored.

“This ceremony is a message to all Lebanese that the UAE cares about Lebanon and about its political, economic and security situations. It is sending a message to all Lebanese regardless of the current Lebanese disputes,” the premier added.

The UAE “is present to support all Lebanese in the country,” he noted.

“The UAE has always had a wise leadership that possesses a wise vision for the region, and it has always supported Lebanon together with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Hariri went on to say.

Referring to the agreement that followed the reversal of his resignation, Hariri said: “We have agreed in the government on the dissociation policy and this is something very important that everyone should respect.”

“They must honor it because it is in the interest of Lebanon and its stability before anything else,” the prime minister urged.

He added: “We want Lebanon to be a platform for freedoms, economy and tourism and this is what we care for. We must preserve our friendly ties with all Arab countries.”

Hariri had shocked Lebanon and the world when he resigned during an unusual TV broadcast from Saudi Arabia in November, citing assassination threats and blasting the policies of Iran and Hizbullah in Lebanon and the region.

After a puzzling mini-odyssey that took him to France, Egypt and Cyprus, Hariri returned to Lebanon after around two weeks and then announced the reversal of his resignation after a deal was reached with the Hizbullah-led camp on distancing Lebanon from regional conflicts.

Source: Naharnet


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