Hariri in Italy for Rome II Meeting, Expects 'Big Arab Support'

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Prime Minister Saad Hariri arrived Wednesday evening in the Italian capital to lead Lebanon's delegation to the Rome II conference that is aimed at rallying support for Lebanon's army and security forces.

Hariri is accompanied by the ministers of defense, interior and foreign affairs; the chiefs of the army, Internal Security Forces and General Security; Lebanon's ambassador to Italy; the director of his office Nader Hariri; his adviser on military affairs retired Brig. Gen. Maroun Hitti and a large number of officers.

“The Lebanese delegation to the conference is carrying a comprehensive plan that will be presented to the participating countries with the aim of supporting the army and the security forces for a period of five years,” Hariri's office said in a statement.

In addition to host country Italy, the participants in the conference are the U.S., France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Russia, Canada, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Denmark, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Argentina, Brazil, Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Algeria, Morocco, Oman, the Arab League, the EU and the U.N., as well as the NATO alliance as an observer.

The conference will kick off at 4:00 pm Thursday (Beirut time) with a speech by Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Speeches by Hariri and U.N. chief Antonio Guterres will follow before the beginning of the works of the conference.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Rome, Hariri hoped the meeting's outcome will be “very positive” in order to “enable the Lebanese army and security forces to continue to perform their missions in preserving security and stability and implementing U.N. resolutions.”

Asked about the Arab support for the conference, Hariri said he expects “big support.”

As for the issue of Lebanon's so-called dissociation policy, the premier said: “We in the government have taken the dissociation decision and we are committed to it.”

“This is being implemented by all political parties,” he added.

Comments 3
Thumb justice 14 March 2018, 21:50

In addition to host country Italy, the participants in the conference are the U.S., France, Germany, Britain, Spain, Russia, Canada, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Denmark, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Argentina, Brazil, Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Algeria, Morocco, Oman, the Arab League, the EU and the U.N., as well as the NATO alliance as an observer.

where is Iran?

Thumb enterprise 14 March 2018, 21:59

As for the issue of Lebanon's so-called dissociation policy, the premier said: “We in the government have taken the dissociation decision and we are committed to it.”

“This is being implemented by all political parties,” Hariri added.

What Hariri is trying to tell the Lebanese people and the world at large that suddenly hezbollah is no longer fighting in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, etc.

No wonder hezbollah sees Hariri as its best spokesperson and propagandist.

Thumb Knight 15 March 2018, 04:24

Reduce waste and corruption and there is no need to go beg. Have the army sell the Monroe Hotel that it owns in Beirut and they can easily raise over $150 million to purchase weapons.