Hariri: Suleiman's Independence Day Speech Last Line of Defense for Lebanon
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri praised on Friday President Michel Suleiman's Independence Day speech on Thursday, saying that it encompassed all that should be said in Lebanon given the recent “unprecedented” local and regional developments.
He said in a statement: “The president's message is the last line of defense of Lebanon's independence and coexistence among its people.”
“It should be supported in words and actions by all Lebanese who are keen on protecting their country's independence and coexistence,” he remarked.
“Suleiman's speech is the highest form of political rhetoric that could be reached during this extraordinary time in Lebanon's history,” he continued.
“On the occasion of Independence Day, Lebanon is standing at a fateful crossroads,” Hariri said.
This situation requires the people to confront the dangers facing them seeing as Lebanon is suffering from the impact of the Syrian war and from great sectarian tensions, noted the former premier.
“Suleiman's message came to highlight Lebanon's current reality and he has sounded the alarm on the fate of the nation,” he stated.
He reiterated the president's remark that the country's independence cannot be realized while some local parties decided to violate national consensus and get embroiled in the armed conflict in Syria.
Lebanon cannot enjoy independence as long as the state is incapable of exerting its authority throughout its territory, he stressed.
On the eve of Independence Day, Suleiman declared: “There is no independence when some Lebanese factions disregard national consensus, risk Lebanon's stability and get involved in the fighting in a neighboring country's war.”
He added: “There is also no independence if security forces were not the only groups authorized to carry arms in the country.”
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