Hariri: Lebanon Will Cooperate with Kuwait on Abdali Cell

Prime Minister Saad Hariri has stressed during his visit to Kuwait that Lebanon is ready to cooperate with the Emirate regarding the so-called Abdali terror cell after allegations that of Hizbullah's involvement in the cell.

“I conveyed to his Highness the greetings of the Lebanese people and the President of the Republic. We clearly said that we condemn what happened regarding the Abdali cell and that Lebanon is prepared to cooperate, with all its apparatus, to end this issue,” emphasized Hariri from Kuwait on Sunday.

“There is a great Kuwaiti resentment towards it and they are right about it, and we in Lebanon will cooperate on this issue.”

He added: “The Kuwaiti people, State and Emir always treated Lebanon and the Lebanese as they treat the Kuwaitis. I hope that the relations will improve. We came to tell his Highness the Emir and the Kuwaiti people that Lebanon is their country and the State and the government are against any security breach because we consider the security of Kuwait and Lebanon is one and we do not allow any breach”.

To a question, Hariri said “hopefully” the resentment of Kuwaitis is “not translated into measures against Lebanon.”

As for the steps the Lebanese government can take to limit the repercussions of this problem, the PM said: “We came here today and spoke frankly and openly with our brothers in Kuwait, particularly with his Highness the Emir. Discussions were frank and clear and hopefully things will improve.”

Whether any evidence was provided about Hizbullah's involvement, Hariri said: “ The Kuwaiti judiciary is clear and frank and there will be cooperation between the security services and the judiciary and we will cooperate to the maximum,” stressing the need to preserve relations between the two countries.

Hariri concluded saying that he will personally follow-up on the issue.

Hariri had traveled on Saturday to Kuwait. Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah received him on Sunday at the Emiri Diwan in Bayan Palace.

The meeting was attended by the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber a-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah, the first deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah, the Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah, the Head of the Accompanying Mission of Honor and Advisor at the Prime Minister’s Diwan Sheikh Salem al-Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the Diwan Chief Sheikha Itimad Khaled al-Ahmad al-Sabah and Kuwait’s Ambassador to Lebanon Abdul-Aal Al-Qinai.