Hariri: Dialogue Must Only Tackle Arms, Syrian People are the Real Resistance
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Former premier Saad Hariri on Monday stressed that he would only accept to return to the national dialogue table if the sole topic was Hizbullah’s arms and announced that he would “definitely” return to Lebanon.
“Those trying to oust me from Lebanon have been paying the price so far and those who tried to erase Rafik Hariri’s project are ousting themselves from Syria,” Hariri said in an interview with Future News television in Paris on the eve of the seventh assassination anniversary of his father, ex-PM Rafik Hariri.
“Had it not been for my (skiing) accident, I would've been among my brothers in Beirut, but God willing I will be there soon,” Hariri, who broke his leg while skiing in the French Alps, said.
“Those who killed Rafik Hariri are capable of killing Saad Hariri … All the March 14 forces are exposed to security threats, but I have not decided to leave politics and I will definitely return to Lebanon,” Hariri promised.
He noted that those who killed his father “benefited regionally because Rafik was a major symbol of moderation and development.”
“I don’t want to discuss the issue of the accused, but we can’t point the finger at an entire sect,” Hariri said, referring to the Shiite sect to which the four Hizbullah members accused of involvement in 2005 murder belong.
The U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon has charged Hizbullah operatives Salim Ayyash, Mustafa Badreddine, Hussein Anaissi and Assad Sabra in the case and decided to try them in absentia.
“We did not choose the path of revenge, but rather the path of justice. We want people to know that the assassination of Rafik Hariri and all the martyrs will be met with punishment,” Hariri noted.
Separately, Hariri lamented that “none of the national dialogue resolutions have been implemented.”
“I know that the issue of (Hizbullah’s) arms is complicated but you can’t tell me let’s discuss a defense strategy without discussing weapons. We all want to defend our country,” he noted.
The former premier reassured that “it is not true that the Sunnis will call for a union with Syria” should a Sunni-led regime rise to power “because we are Lebanese in the first place and we won’t allow anyone to harm Lebanon.”
“Saad Hariri will continue the path of Rafik Hariri and Lebanon will always come first,” he stressed.
Addressing the Syrian crisis, Hariri said “the Syrian people took to the streets demanding freedom and dignity and the regime confronted them with cannons.”
“Nowadays, the regime’s forces are killing the people and the defections happened in order to protect the civilians,” he said of the current state of affairs in neighboring Syria.
“The same thing that happened in Libya is happening now in Syria: there is a regime that is killing its own people and the killing must be stopped. This was my stance concerning Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and today concerning Syria, but what happened in those nations is that their leaders either left the country or ceded power,” Hariri added.
He accused the Syrian regime of stimulating sectarian feelings in order to confront the uprising it has been trying to crush since around 11 months.
“We are all minorities in our country, whether Sunnis, Shiites or Christians. The same thing applies in Syria, they want to liberate themselves from this regime and when freedom comes people will head to polling stations. Those promoting sectarian remarks will lose.
“It is true that there has been bloodshed, but a reconciliation will be achieved and the regime is trying to make people hate each other,” he noted.
And he urged the Syrian opposition to “unite and to speak with one voice.”
Criticizing Moscow, Hariri said Russia “must pay special attention to the major Arab consensus.”
“Today it has sided with the regime and it will regret its current stance in the future because the regime in Syria will change and democracy will come,” Hariri went on to say.
“During the first Gulf war Russia changed its stance and it may change today and of course we thank it for its stance on the STL and its support for the Palestinian cause,” he added.
He also slammed the Lebanese government over its so-called self-disassociation policy.
“Today, Lebanon is placing itself in the eye of the storm. With our self-disassociation policy, how would they (a new regime in Syria) deal with us when the regime falls? Today there is an Arab consensus and Lebanon has rejected it,” Hariri warned.
“The Lebanese officials must realize that the Syrian people are more important than the regime and that they were the ones to stand by Lebanon and host the Lebanese (refugees during the 2006 war with Israel) and not the regime.”
And addressing Hizbullah, Hariri said “it was not the regime that protected the Resistance, but rather the (1996) April Understanding sponsored by Rafik Hariri and the support of all the Lebanese for the Resistance.”
“We either fight together or we lose together, as we share the same blood. The main topic in any dialogue must be weapons and we were not the ones who suspended dialogue,” he said.
And he denied that his position would “become stronger with the fall of the Syrian regime.”
“I’m only saying that there’s a chance for Lebanon to make a reconciliation with Syria, a chance to end intimidation,” he said.
“The real resistance is what the Syrian people are doing today, why are you defending the regime?” Hariri added, addressing Hizbullah and its allies.
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13 February 2012, 23:11
Hariri: Rafik Hariri was martyred for the sake of his country and his faith in Lebanon and it is our destiny to pursue the path and may God punish them in this world for their actions. The real resistance is what the Syrian people are doing today, why are you defending the regime?
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13 February 2012, 23:07
Hariri: Those trying to oust me from Lebanon have been paying the price so far and those who tried to erase Rafik Hariri’s project are ousting themselves from Syria.
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13 February 2012, 23:05
Hariri: We did not choose the path of revenge, but rather the path of justice. We want people to know that the assassination of Rafik Hariri and all the martyrs will be met with punishment.
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13 February 2012, 22:38
Hariri: Hizbullah betrayed me more than PM Miqati did.
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13 February 2012, 22:36
Hariri: I don’t believe that my position would become stronger with the fall of the Syrian regime, I’m only saying that there’s a chance for Lebanon to make a reconciliation with Syria, a chance to end intimidation.
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13 February 2012, 22:26
Hariri: None of the national dialogue resolutions have been implemented. I know that the issue of arms is complicated but you can’t tell me let’s discuss a defense strategy without discussing weapons. We all want to defend our country.
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13 February 2012, 22:15
Hariri: Part of the Iranian money goes to the Resistance but there is also a political portion. Their political scheme is based on Iranian support. Hizbullah said it would think what to do if Israel or the U.S. attacked Iran; where are the president, the government and that state in that case? And why should we interfere? Can we bear a new war?
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13 February 2012, 22:12
Hariri: I’m not after power and the constitution is what defines the end of the term of the current government.
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13 February 2012, 22:05
Hariri: We either fight together or we lose together, as we share the same blood. The main topic in any dialogue must be weapons and we were not the ones who suspended dialogue.
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13 February 2012, 22:01
Hariri: Saad Hariri will continue the path of Rafik Hariri and Lebanon will always come first. It is not true that the Sunnis will call for a union with Syria because we are Lebanese in the first place and we won’t allow anyone to harm Lebanon.
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13 February 2012, 21:59
Hariri: The Lebanese officials must realize that the Syrian people are more important than the regime and that they were the ones to stand by Lebanon and host the Lebanese and not the regime. It was not the regime that protected the Resistance, but rather the April Understanding sponsored by Rafik Hariri and the support of all the Lebanese for the Resistance.
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13 February 2012, 21:57
Hariri: Today, Lebanon is placing itself in the eye of the storm. With our self-disassociation policy, how would they deal with us when the regime falls? Today there is an Arab consensus and Lebanon has rejected it.
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13 February 2012, 21:53
Hariri: We in the March 14 camp believe in the Taef Agreement and equal power-sharing (between Christians and Muslims) and the reason behind our success is that we talk and act like Rafik Hariri did.
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13 February 2012, 21:52
Hariri: I'm not trying to reassure the minorities but I have said that the revolts erupted after 40 years of persecuting and oppressing certain components of society such as Islamists and others. But what reliefs me is that people resorted to ballot boxes and if the new regimes don't fulfill the promises, votes will go somewhere else.
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13 February 2012, 21:44
Hariri: I’m not one of those who disassociate themselves; my stance is clear. What’s happening in Tripoli is premeditated, after the reconciliation there. I call on Tripoli’s residents not to give any chance to any person to drag Lebanon into any problems in order to deviate attention from the Syrian revolution.
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13 February 2012, 21:42
Hariri: During the first Gulf war Russia changed its stance and it may change today and of course we thank it for its stance on the STL and its support for the Palestinian cause.
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13 February 2012, 21:41
Hariri: Russia must pay special attention to the major Arab consensus. Today it has sided with the regime and it will regret its current stance in the future because the regime in Syria will change and democracy will come.
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13 February 2012, 21:39
Hariri: I urge the Syrian opposition to unite and to speak with one voice.
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13 February 2012, 21:38
Hariri: The dear Alawite sect is present in Syria and Lebanon and the regime has an interest in stimulating sectarian feelings and there is a bunch of people financially benefitting from infringing on people’s rights. It is not an uprising for bread but rather an uprising for freedom.
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13 February 2012, 21:35
Hariri: We are all minorities in our country, whether Sunnis, Shiites or Christians. The same thing applies in Syria, they want to liberate themselves from this regime and when freedom comes people will head to polling stations. Those promoting sectarian remarks will lose. It is true that there has been bloodshed, but a reconciliation will be achieved and the regime is trying to make people hate each other.
-
13 February 2012, 21:32
Hariri: The same thing that happened in Libya is happening now in Syria: there is a regime that is killing its own people and the killing must be stopped. This was my stance concerning Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and today concerning Syria, but what happened in those nations is that their leaders either left the country or ceded power.
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13 February 2012, 21:29
Hariri: The Syrian people took to the streets demanding freedom and dignity and the regime confronted them with cannons. Nowadays, the regime’s forces are killing the people and the defections happened in order to protect the civilians.
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13 February 2012, 21:18
Hariri: The financial contributions were aimed at aiding the Lebanese and Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries did not ask for anything in return.
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13 February 2012, 21:17
Hariri: We went through financial problems and we were affected by the global crisis, but we have overcome that, and the rumors about the two billions demonstrate the bankruptcy (of those launching them), as we’re not the ones receiving political money which is rather coming from Iran, and we worked hard to earn the Saudi money we have.
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13 February 2012, 21:15
Hariri: Those who killed Rafik Hariri benefited regionally because Rafik was a major symbol of moderation and development. I don’t want to discuss the issue of the accused, but we can’t point the finger at an entire sect.
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13 February 2012, 21:13
Hariri: All the March 14 forces are exposed to security threats, but I have not decided to leave politics and I will definitely return to Lebanon.
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13 February 2012, 21:12
Hariri: Those who killed Rafik Hariri are capable of killing Saad Hariri.
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13 February 2012, 21:09
Ex-PM Saad Hariri in an interview with Future News in Paris: Had it not been for my accident, I would've been among my brothers in Beirut, but God willing I will be there soon.
13 February 2012, 21:17
23
Allah yihmeek Ya Sheikh Saad and keep you, all M14 and Lebanon safe.
13 February 2012, 23:44
10
bel ro7, bel dam, almhebeel yafdouk ya cheikh sa3d w2enta 3am tetzallaj bi chamonix
13 February 2012, 23:56
15
"dont trust anyone who says 'i'm not after power'"
funny !!!! so how can you trust aoun who says the same thing!
you should think before writing incoherent things....
14 February 2012, 01:37
10
amazing how he talks about...."Rafik was a major symbol of moderation and development". how about your friends in saudi? where do they fall in "moderation" and "development"? hypocrite.
14 February 2012, 02:26
10
I want to know who killed true Lebanese leaders.
"Bashir Gemayel" "Rene Mouwad" " Danny Chamoun" "Tony Franjieh" "Kamil Jumblatt" & plenty more.
Why is Rafik Hariri more inportant?
Is it because he like his son have Saudi interest at heart before Lebanon?
Or maybe they stole more than anyone before them? Yes Lebanons debt was one billion dollars when the Harriris entered the fray. They left Lebanon with a crippling sixty billion $ debt.
Hariri lived 265 days outside Lebanon when he was prime minister.
Anyone whos fortune came from his ancestor selling his wife to Saudi filth, can be trusted?
Anyone who uses his Fathers blood, year after year to gain, can be trusted?
Lebanon needs a true Lebanese leader... You Hariri is not he.
14 February 2012, 02:49
14
Hariri is right.
The single most important issue that prevents Lebanon from being a functioning state is Hezbollah. There is no real Lebanese state until Hezbollah gives up its arms and surrenders those who're accused of crimes against Lebanon. (Aoun and his clowns will toe the line, so they really are inconsequential)
All other discussions are way down on the totem pole.
14 February 2012, 03:19
10
What a pathetic human being... this ex PM doesn't have the ballz to come back to his motherland and is content with addressing his followers on twitter. So its the broken leg now eh ? ttehhh
14 February 2012, 03:40
01
For the loosers allied with Iran and Syrian regimes will pay the expensive price for holding the country as a hostage. Shortly a strong Government and President will rise and have ONE choice for the people of Lebanon, join the army to defend it soil or you else you are traitor and belong in Roumieh if you carry a weapon.
14 February 2012, 05:09
01
I do support Harriri in his arguement about the irrelevance of Huzbullah weapons. We are fed up from conflict and blood. more than 90 percent of our history is full of conflict and blood. Most of our history is spent catering for the interests of others ignoring full well our own interests. time is ripe now that Syria is about to be liberated, that things should change and will change. And I think Harriri could spearhead the change iniative by firstly dismantling Huzbullah weapons arsenals. We need to be a weapons free country. A country that is build on education not war. We are fed up from wars. We only need what other nations have: Peace and only peace so that we could build not destroy. Live not die. Those who want us to die are absolutely mistaken.
14 February 2012, 07:26
42
the saudi puppet is hallucinating that there will be talks about disarming our glorious resistance, and filthy zionist media terrorists take that hallucination to really manical levels.
14 February 2012, 10:29
312
Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. Lebanon is a perfect example. How do you expect a better Lebanon, when you have all the same politicians since most of us remember. Poor Lebanon, a wannabe.
14 February 2012, 12:30
10
The rudest & angriest posts here belong to the ill fated Lebanese forces supporters. I wonder why.
14 February 2012, 13:31
10
@slash, the only ones with an obsession seem to be jerks like you who have nothing else to talk about but your nightmare. Get a life instead of barking incessantly.
14 February 2012, 14:15
01
the true resistance is the LEBANESE RESISTANCE, NOT THE FARSI OR THE WAHHABIES...I WISH WELL TO THE SYRIANS(we forgive but never forget) , my only interest is inside the 10452 .
14 February 2012, 14:30
12
Look at all these M8 losers, the only thing in their vocabulary is Zionist and Wahabis. These are lame excuses but they keep using them because they are politically bankrupt and morally non-existing. Get it in your think sculls and blind hate that loving your country above all else is not a crime. Sheikh Saad said it all "Lebanon first" and no illegal arms...if you don't like it move to Syria or Iran.
14 February 2012, 15:07
02
Slash,Mouwaten meant the resistance arms that killed samer hanna.Who was a wahhabi zionist.init mouwaten?
they are so worried about bankrupting lebanon that they took the country to 2006 war.
nice one mouwaten.Keep entertaining us.
14 February 2012, 16:06
13
allouchi let them spit their hatred. anyone who wants the weapons to be under the only authoritiy to detain them (the army and police) are labeled as traitors, wahabis or zionists! so let them in their persian world...
anyone who wants the gvt to be the only one to decide about war or peace is a traitor...
so in the eyes of M8 a real patriot is the one who believes weapons must be detained by political parties and the gvt has no say in war or peace but the parties= that is the definition of being a true lebanese for M8...
14 February 2012, 19:44
41
the filthy zionist media terrorists hallucinate in turbo speed and manical way.
