Hariri to Hizbullah: The Country is More Important than Your Weapons
Former premier Saad Hariri on Thursday stressed that Hizbullah needs to “understand the country is more important than their weapons.”
Asked by a Twitter user whether he had any short-term or long-term plans concerning the disarming of Hizbullah, Hariri said: “Very simple, they need to understand the country is more important than their weapons.”
The ex-PM lauded Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s remarks earlier in the day on the Arab Spring, saying “they reflect a real vision.”
Al-Rahi hoped on Thursday that the people of the Middle East, “who are currently enduring wars and conflict”, would soon witness peace and stability.
He said during his Christmas and New Year address: “We look forward with you to the birth of the real and stable Arab Spring, which is based on democracy and the diversity of its religions and cultures.”
Asked whether he was ready for a “reconciliation” with Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat and about a possible Saudi role in such a move, Hariri said: “There’s no need for a reconciliation with MP Jumblat, as we’re not at odds, and the kingdom’s role has always been for the sake of the welfare of all the Lebanese.”
On whether he would engage in an electoral alliance with Premier Najib Miqati under the pretext that “he has finally funded” the U.N.-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the ex-PM ruled out such a possibility.
Hariri announced that he will return soon to Lebanon, although “the (security) risk will always be there.”
“That’s the price I am willing to pay,” Hariri added, tweeting in English.
Asked about recent media reports suggesting that the Lebanese army has closed illegal, “humanitarian” border crossings between Syria and the northern Lebanese region of Wadi Khaled, Hariri stressed that Syrians fleeing their regime’s crackdown “should be able to come to Lebanon.”
“Syria is witnessing a real revolution that is unprecedented in the region and its results will emerge sooner or later,” Hariri said.
“I think the next meeting (of the Arab League on Syria) is going to be an important one with important resolutions,” the ex-premier added, saying the Gulf Cooperation Council summit on Monday and Tuesday would also take “important” decisions concerning the Syrian crisis.
“Tomorrow, Syria will enter its tenth month of oppression and tragedy, an occasion to … (voice) once again our solidarity with the Syrian people,” Hariri announced.
He also called on the Arab League and all the Arab peoples and states to “help the people of Syria reach freedom and dignity.”
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