Hariri Says Keen on Dissociation Policy, Rejects 'Any Electoral Alliance with Hizbullah'
Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Wednesday underscored his keenness on Lebanon's so-called policy of dissociation towards regional conflicts, as he promised a “real” battle against Hizbullah in the upcoming elections.
“Let everyone know that I will not sell my Arab brothers 'fake Lebanese political goods'... We are not merchants of positions and slogans, we are honest about our role towards our people and our brothers,” Hariri told a BIEL rally marking the 13th anniversary of the assassination of his father – ex-PM Rafik Hariri.
“I will not accept that Lebanon leaves its Arab environment or be plunged into the inferno of Arab wars,” he added.
“The dissociation decision is an essential decision... Lebanon's normal position is to be a state that has the best relations with the Arab countries while rejecting any harm against them. The decision was not taken to remain mere words on paper; whoever signs a decision taken by the state must respect this decision,” Hariri went on to say, referring to a government resolution that reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to distance itself from regional conflicts.
The resolution was issued in the wake of Hariri's return to Lebanon following his resignation ordeal in Saudi Arabia.
“We have dedicated ourselves to serving our country. This is our destiny and Lebanon's stability and safety are our most important achievements,” Hariri said.
He boasted that despite the raging conflicts in the region, Lebanon is “still in the safety zone.”
“Rafik Hariri's spirit is still with us and the young man (Rafik Hariri) who risked his life seeking a ceasefire in Beirut cannot accept a new civil war in Beirut,” Hariri added.
“Thirteen years have passed and we are still determined to achieve justice. We will not despair, we will not forget and we will not bargain. The justice of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon is coming,” the premier said, referring to a U.N.-backed tribunal that is trying in absentia four Hizbullah suspects accused of involvement in his father's murder.
He stressed that the court's verdicts should be “binding for the Lebanese authorities, which must pursue and arrest the accused.”
Turning to the upcoming parliamentary elections, the premier noted that “the real political and electoral battle will be between al-Mustaqbal Movement and Hizbullah.”
“We do not have money for elections and we are a movement that rejects any alliance with Hizbullah,” Hariri underlined, urging Mustaqbal's popular base to play an effective role in the elections.
Hitting out at former allies-turned-rivals who “criticize al-Mustaqbal Movement on daily basis,” the premier added: “Let everyone know that I, Saad Rafik Hariri, will categorically reject to lead this loyal and noble popular base into the abyss or into any civil strife.”
“Let all people know that we will not accept to waste the martyrs' sacrifices by allowing the country to collapse,” Hariri stressed.
Referring to former allies who accuse him of bowing to Hizbullah, Hariri said: “They are fighting wars on paper.”
“Some people were friends but they strayed off the path of friendship by seeking roles inside and outside the country and writing stances and reports against Saad Hariri and al-Mustaqbal Movement,” he added, in reference to his resignation crisis.
Source: Naharnet
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