Hariri Says Institutions 'Should No Longer be Taken Hostage' after Municipal Vote
Al-Mustaqbal movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri stressed Thursday that state institutions “should no longer be taken hostage,” three days after authorities managed to organize largely peaceful municipal and mayoral elections last Sunday.
“Lebanon today is an oasis of hope amidst a region in turmoil,” said Hariri during a lunch banquet at the Center House on the occasion of “Europe Day”.
“Just a few days ago, the people of Lebanon, young and old, from all walks of life, proved that our democracy is strong,” he noted.
“I hope that the momentum of the municipal elections will drive the different blocs in parliament to realize that the people of Lebanon, the state institutions and the presidency can and should no longer be taken hostage,” the ex-PM added.
The municipal and mayoral polls that started on Sunday in Beirut and the Bekaa are the first elections of any kind in Lebanon since the last municipal vote in 2010, in a country with a deeply divided political scene that has not had a president for the past two years nor voted for a parliament since 2009.
The next round of elections, which will be held in the Mount Lebanon governorate, is scheduled for Sunday.
“Just like you, we value our democracy and we aspire for a strong, stable state,” Hariri said, addressing Europe's representatives.
“I am confident that the future of Lebanon is promising. Many opportunities await us. Our society is vibrant, diverse and life loving,” he stated.
Hariri added: “The Lebanese are dynamic, talented and hard working. We will overcome the challenges, and we will remain committed to maintaining the peace and stability of this country.”
Later on Thursday, Hariri declared that Lebanon “is and will remain hopefully a place for dialogue, peaceful debate, the exchange of constructive ideas and experiences.”
“A place where enlightened Arab minds meet for the benefit of the Arabs, their economies and their societies,” he added, in a speech at the conclusion of the 24th Arab Economic Forum that was organized by the Al-Iktissad wal Aamal group.
“Lebanon has proven that enjoys high immunity, despite the fires that are surrounding it, the enormous pressure of its displaced (Syrian) brothers and the political crisis resulting from the presidential vacuum,” Hariri noted.
He attributed this immunity to its army and security forces and “the adherence of its loyal sons to stability and to the democratic system and their rejection of any kind of violence.”
Hariri also pointed out that the main political forces in the country “have drawn lessons from the civil war and decided to reject any new slide towards it.”
The ex-PM also said that the results of the municipal elections in Beirut, which were won by the Mustaqbal-led Beirutis List, “confirm the adherence of the people of the capital” to “the legacy of Rafik Hariri.”
Turning to the economic concerns, Hariri added: “We are able to return to growth, create jobs, reinvigorate economy and investment, improve the infrastructure and allow public and private initiatives.”
“We, in al-Mustaqbal movement, are preparing a plan to reinvigorate national economy through improving the business environment, starting with the adoption of the public-private partnership law,” he said.
The plan also includes the reactivation of tourism through “a global advertising campaign that aims at promoting tourism in Lebanon,” added Hariri.
He said partnership between the public and private sectors must include key fields like electricity and communications.
“We also have a plan to involve the private sector in the public transport network, and we are studying a Metro project, and a maritime transport project between the coastal cities,” Hariri went on to say.
The plan also aims to “launch biddings for gas and oil exploration and extraction, as well as ratify the law governing the work of the Sovereignty Wealth Fund to preserve the revenues from oil and gas for the future generations, and allocate part of it to decrease public debt.”
