Hariri 'Optimistic' on Cabinet, Says He Hasn't Offered Concessions
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Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Friday announced that he is showing positivity in the cabinet formation process, noting that Hizbullah is a political party that is leading a “big coalition.”
“We are positive regarding the cabinet formation process. This is something good for the country and for stability in the country,” Hariri said in an interview.
He noted that he has not offered “concessions” concerning participation in a cabinet containing Hizbullah and its allies, stressing that “according to the principle of trials, any accused is innocent until proven guilty.”
“We know that, theoretically, they are the ones who committed these crimes,” Hariri added, in reference to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon trials that started Thursday in The Hague.
The STL has accused five Hizbullah members of involvement in the 2005 assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri. The party has dismissed the court as a U.S.-Israeli scheme and vowed to never cooperate with it.
“We know that this might be the case, but in the end, this is a political party that is in a major alliance with the Aounists (Free Patriotic Movement) and other groups,” Hariri added.
“We are trying to run the country together with everyone because we don't want to exclude anyone as Lebanon is going through a difficult period, especially after the international community miserably failed in addressing the Syrian issue,” he said.
Asked whether he was optimistic regarding the cabinet formation process, Hariri answered: “I'm very optimistic … I don't know when it will be formed but I'm optimistic.”
And in response to a question on whether there are any “red lines,” the ex-PM said: “Red lines are defined by the country's needs and we want the country to stabilize.”
The Hariri-led al-Mustaqbal movement has agreed to join a cabinet containing Hizbullah, but the main dispute is still revolving around the ministerial policy statement. Al-Mustaqbal and the March 14 forces are rejecting the inclusion of the so-called army-people-resistance equation in it and are insisting that it should endorse the Baabda Declaration.
17 January 2014, 18:02
712
Yeah Saad. Dont offer concessions. Why would you? You are living the high life in Paris. Receiving people and accepting and refusing positions.
You dont care that Lebanon's economy is on its knees because of your arm wrestling with Hezb Iran. You can afford to hold 10 more years. You have the cash reserves. Go to hell you and Hezb Iran.
17 January 2014, 18:40
106
arm wrestling is better that giving up lebanon to iranians...
17 January 2014, 22:02
410
Mr. Hariri is opening up, because he knows this is the best for Lebanon. All you others don't care about your own leaders wishes, not very loyal of you,
18 January 2014, 00:44
92
Well mystic leaders do get it wrong sometimes(many times) that's why people should monitor and sanction them, that's what elections are for, but since u lived in syria and u don't have had real choice (98% votes for assad) u don't get the concept of accountability, but it will come, or at least i hope ithat it will...
18 January 2014, 15:20
20
Mystic's sectarian mind thinks that leaders are chosen by god...and that calling for accountability of SHN and Assad is the same as betrayal and helping the enemy. Brainwashed people with evil intentions.
18 January 2014, 20:54
00
How am i secterian on this matter? I'm simply applying that you should respect your leaders wishes, and not whine about it like a little crying baby.
17 January 2014, 22:05
210
Prime. It is clear you are not earning a living in lebanon. I am not saying that Hezb iran is good.I am saying that their constant haggling is a drain to the economy. You obviously dont care about economy of lebanon since you live and work in venezuela. You dont care if they tear lebanon to shreds to get rid of the "evil" HA.
But for most of us living in lebanon, we are tired of this whole charade of politicians which is ruining our economy.
17 January 2014, 22:13
104
so L_F, go live with HA, form a government, and accept their militia.
17 January 2014, 23:42
95
L_F out of respect 4 the victims, the dead, the maimed, and those who lost their jobs, businesses, cars, houses we cannot give up on justice. u can't be selfish simply because u have been spared so far. political figures aside, it could have been ur daughter or brother on the sidewalk when the cars blew up. Lebanon has to c it thru. u can't be ungrateful, Hariri got rid of syrian boots by dying, now it's every lebanese duty 2 finish off the occupation which is iranian. They brought misery 2 lebanon by attacking the syrian revolutionaries. there's no shortcut 2 justice.
17 January 2014, 18:24
102
Where Saad Hariri resides today has nothing to do with the issue. The point is not to give into some key points which might take us back to exactly where we were. You comment about the the concession bit but are not commenting about the comments around the red lines were in his comments he puts lebanon and it's stability first. He said that he didn't compromise, but was mustakbal not talking about the post Shattah assassination era not being the same as the pre-Shattah? Are they not now willing to form a cabinet with hizbullah (when they believe that hizbullah is responsible for the bombings)? I call this compromise? Again I am not a fan of M14 but I am trying to be objective
17 January 2014, 19:06
116
Mr prime minister, do not negotiate with terrorist! Never come on
17 January 2014, 23:46
85
That is disappointing. Hariri is caving in again. What for? Maybe it's a ruse to show he wanted to work with Hezb, but knowing that this will not happen.
Why do we have to compromise with Hezb now? They are the troublemakers everywhere and the reason why Lebanon going backwards, each year.
18 January 2014, 01:46
83
Well, if he's not the party leader, his say doesn't weigh as much.
anyway, i think he relies on his LF and Kataeb allies to take over with the pressure. it's a game.... and he/they shouldn't compromise with the Hezb, never ever again. they are backstabbers, hijackers and assassins.
