Hariri: Issue of Hizbullah Bigger than Lebanon, Alliance with Aoun Best for Country

Prime Minister Saad Hariri emphasized on Tuesday that political parties must commit to the country's dissociation policy for stability's sake stressing that "Hizbullah issue is bigger than Lebanon”, as he announced alliance with President Michel Aoun for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

“Any political group seeking stability in Lebanon must adhere to the dissociation policy. I believe pushing all political parties towards a disassociation policy is a must. The best thing is to put aside our differences and move forward in the best for Lebanon's interest,” said Hariri.

Hariri's remarks came in a televised discussion with Carnegie Middle East Center during its annual conference at the Phoenicia Hotel.

To a question on Hizbullah, Hariri said: “The issue of Hizbullah is bigger than Lebanon. It is a regional issue that requires dialogue in order to be solved.”

On the alliances of his party, al-Mustaqbal Movement, in the upcoming parliamentary polls the PM clarified that his movement will “strike alliances with different political parties. Our new alliance with the President (Michel Aoun) is in the interest of the country.”

He was asked about a fiery statement he made two days ago about parties who allegedly tried to “stab him in the back” during the latest political crises, and his intention to “spill the beans” and say who they were in a televised talk show that was later postponed.

“I did not say I was going to spill the beans in Marcel Ghanem talk show. I never indicated a certain date for the interview,” he remarked.

On the crisis of Syrian refugees, Hariri said: “Lebanon is doing everything it can as a country to help the refugees. The international community has a responsibility to help Lebanon financially in supporting them.

“If the de-escalation zones are safe, then with the help of the United Nations, the refugees should return back to Syria. Any political solution in Syria has to include a solution for the refugees.”

However Hariri affirmed that “Lebanese-Syrian relations will be non-existent as long as Assad is in power.”

On a US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, he stated: “Trump's Jerusalem decision is not a wise one. We should all refuse Trump's decision. The only solution for Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the two-state solution; however Jerusalem decision has only made things worse.”

On the oil and gas file, the PM assured that “this government will be the first to sign an oil and gas exploration contract.”