Hariri Says Exerting All Efforts to End Baabda Vacuum

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Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri reiterated on Monday that he was trying hard to push for the election of a new president in Lebanon.

In an interview with the French daily Le Figaro, Hariri said: “Lebanon's coexistence … is menaced by the paralysis of institutions amid a presidential vacuum.”

“We hold onto the election of the Christian” head of state, the lawmaker said.

“We are exerting all efforts to put an end to the vacuum,” at Baabda Palace, Hariri added.

President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May amid the failure of parliament to elect a successor over differences on a compromise candidate.

Hariri is expected to discuss the presidential deadlock with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi in Rome on Monday.

In his interview with Le Figaro, the former prime minister slammed Hizbullah for its meddling in Syria's war.

He said the Shiite party sent its fighters to help President Bashar Assad's troops without getting the go-ahead from the Lebanese state.

Hizbullah claims that its members are fighting in Syria to stop the terrorists there from reaching Lebanon. But the same jihadist groups are taking Hizbullah's role in the neighboring country as a pretext to bring the battle to Lebanon, Hariri added.

Talking with his interviewer about the burden of around 1.5 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Hariri said: “No single country can confront such immense proportions.”

“It's the same as France welcoming 20 million refugees in three years,” he said.

Hariri appealed for more assistance from the international community to help Lebanon meet the burden of the displaced and support the army in its fight against terrorists.

Jihadists from al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group overran the northeastern border town of Arsal in August and engaged in bloody battles with the army.

They also took with them soldiers and police as hostages and later executed three of them.

Since then, the military has intensified raids across Lebanon and has arrested dozens of Lebanese and foreign nationals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities.

Asked about a $3 billion Saudi grant to Lebanon to purchase weapons from France, Hariri said the issue was up to Riyadh and Paris to resolve.

He said he believed that the deal was on the right track and would be signed soon.

Hariri reiterated that the IS was a “terrorist group committing barbaric acts in the name of Islam.”

“The absolute majority of Muslims are moderates,” he stressed. But said that their “political representatives should be given credibility.”

G.K.

H.K.

Comments 15
Thumb geha 13 October 2014, 09:58

he is trying his best to keep the cohesion of the country and avoid its total breakup.

m8 is responsible for the breakup of Lebanon if they continue on this path.

Missing greatpierro 13 October 2014, 12:11

who is more corrupt? Bassil, Nicolas, Berri, jumblatt, hizbollah (stealing the country's custom duties)?

Thumb ex-fpm 13 October 2014, 12:18

flamethrower, It is not what you say that makes facts. The facts are every time this man headed a government the economy expanded, jobs were created, and debt was reduced. Your hatred for Mustaqbal and Sunnis is no secret on this forum. You keep trying to hide it but you fail. Accusations without proof are nothing but a smear campaign that you excel at.

Thumb EagleDawn 13 October 2014, 12:27

ex-fpm, you are arguing with a sectarian blinded by hate and jealousy. Don't bother

Thumb EagleDawn 13 October 2014, 12:52

Bassil own allies exposed he was taking huge commissions from the oil importing companies that Bassil recruited. The finance minister Al Al Khalil of Amal said he was offered "kickbacks" just like Bassil in order to renew the contracts of these companies that Bassil installed.

ففيما يتعلق بعقود استيراد البترول، أفادت أوساط وزارية “المركزية” أن وزير المال علي حسن خليل، فجّر قنبلة لدى إصراره على إجراء مناقصة جديدة بدل مواصلة العمل بتجديد العقود كل ثلاث سنوات. فكشف خلال جداله مع وزيرين من فريق “التغيير والاصلاح” دافعا عن العقود وعن تجديدها أنه تلقى مغريات مالية مقابل قبوله بتجديدها، الا انه رفض، وتبادل الطرفان الإتهامات وشارك في الجدال وزير عن “حزب الله”. وأصر وزير المال على رفضه تجديد العقود لشكّه بها

Thumb EagleDawn 13 October 2014, 12:54

Now, this is more than proof of the the corruption of the FPM and Bassil. Waynah Caroline>? LOL

Thumb cedars2 13 October 2014, 13:08

La la youre too much FT, Harriri drove our country to hell? Hmmm, yes he shouldnt have kidnapped those Israeli soldiers in 2006 after which Lebanon endured 33 days of aerial and ground assault costing us lives and billions in infrastructure damage not to mention how the tourists literally ran away during one of the most promising tourist seasons. Harriri shouldnt have attacked shiite areas in 2008, Harriri shouldnt have assassinated and terrorized political opponents. You know what FT you really are full of S..., you had better increase ur omega three intake to improve your memory its similar to a goldfish's I think.

Default-user-icon Mahfouz (Guest) 13 October 2014, 13:17

The only assistance we require is the complete return of all refugees back to their shit hole. And stop asking for money because it is only going to the pockets of the thieves in the Serail and Beirut.

Missing ysurais 13 October 2014, 13:59

Wish people/politicians in this country will stop the nonsense m8// m14 … We need to save our country, if anything is left.
Terrorists are forming cells all over z country, and also Not to forget z influx of z large number of refugees, which might stay in Lebanon forever, not to mention all z problems they are bringing upon us.

Thumb thepatriot 13 October 2014, 15:00

FT...No one is allergic to the truth but you. We are allergic to your BS, lies, propaganda, foul language and sectarianism!

Missing humble 13 October 2014, 15:29

Does a brain washed know that he is brain washed?

Missing karim- 13 October 2014, 16:57

18/04/1989 بري: لن نقبل برئيس ماروني بعد الآن
30/06/1989 حزب الله يعلن الولاء المطلق لآية الله السيد علي خامنئي
01/09/1989 حزب الله يعلن حرب مفتوحة مع الموارنة معتبرا حملة عون على سوريا هي حملة لابادة المسلمين
21/09/1989 حزب الله : نرفض رئيسا مارونيا ونرفض الذل تحت اسم التعايش مع النصارى
13/10/1989 حزب الله : سنمزق اتفاق الطائف
20/10/1989 بري: غير معنيين بالطائف والقبول به خيانة
12/11/1989 حزب الله: الطائف استسلام للمارونية السياسية واسرائيل

Default-user-icon CFTC (Guest) 13 October 2014, 17:11

hahahaha...this guy is a joke. Has done nothing in his life...except inheriting ... what an achievement !!! (-:

Default-user-icon Nouveau riche G.Bassil (Guest) 13 October 2014, 18:53

Yeah flamethrower hahahaha... the proper more efficient way to do it is marry well !!!! hahahaha !!! (-:

Default-user-icon CFTC (Guest) 13 October 2014, 22:09

Please, CFTC (Guest), stop using my screen name, I beg you! People are getting confused... choose another name like Haidar or Abbas, even Hussain but why my screen name???!!!