Hariri Invites Pope to Lebanon, Stresses Importance of 'Accord among Lebanese'

Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Friday invited Pope Francis to visit Lebanon during a meeting at the Vatican, as he stressed the importance of preserving “accord among all Lebanese.”

“God willing, we will see the pope soon in Lebanon and this will be in the interest of Lebanon, in the interest of Muslims and Christians, and also in the interest of the region,” said Hariri after meeting the pontiff.

As for the issue of Syrian refugees, Hariri said “there should be safe zones in Syria through which refugees can become convinced of returning safely to their homeland, specifically to these zones.”

“Calls for forcing them to return to their country are not on the table, abnormal and inhumane,” Hariri added.

“We must, however, protect Lebanese citizens through enforcing the Lebanese law on matters of labor and other things,” the PM went on to say.

As for the domestic situations in Lebanon, Hariri said called for preserving the current “accord” among all Lebanese.

“This accord is what has saved Lebanese and it can lead the country to the shore of safety and peace,” he added.

A statement issued by Hariri's office said his talks with the pope tackled “the latest developments in Lebanon and the region and the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on the Lebanese situations, in addition to the relations with the Vatican.”

Hariri is accompanied by his wife Lara and his children Houssan, Loulwa and Abdel Aziz, his chief of staff Nader Hariri and his adviser Daoud Sayegh.

They were greeted by the regent of the Papal House Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza.