Hariri Begins Paris Visit, Urges Lebanese to 'Turn Page of Discord'
Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Thursday met with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris, beginning an official visit to France that also involves talks with President Emmanuel Macron.
Hariri and Philippe discussed "developments in Lebanon and the region," Hariri's office said in a statement.
“I came to France to explain the situation in Lebanon. We are very proud of the victories of the Lebanese army in the Bekaa. This helps Lebanon show that the state and the government are fulfilling their duties,” Hariri told reporters after the meeting.
“I also came to explain the situation of the displaced Syrians and how to deal with this in a way that is useful to Lebanon and the displaced. For us, the solution is their safe return to Syria. This is very important and I explained our position to my French counterpart. We also talked about the economic situation in Lebanon. Tomorrow I will meet the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron and we will discuss these files,” Hariri added.
Asked about the controversy that has accompanied anti-Islamic State offensives by the Lebanese army and Hizbullah on both sides of the Lebanese-Syrian border, Hariri said: “The state achieved a victory. The Lebanese army offered martyrs and found the bodies of the kidnapped soldiers... The Lebanese are not divided on this subject. Some are trying to take advantage of this victory, but as my father used to say, no one is bigger than their country.”
“Lebanon, the Lebanese people and the Lebanese army achieved a victory. And when Lebanon wins, all Lebanese are victorious,” Hariri added.
In a statement issued earlier in the day marking Eid al-Adha, Hariri hoped the “black cloud” surrounding many Arab countries will vanish and called on Lebanese to “turn the page of discord and conflict.”
Hariri's remarks come in the wake of a war of words over the military developments on the eastern border region.
“The joy of holidays would have been almost complete this year with the victory of the Lebanese army over the terrorist organizations and its success in expelling their remnants from the Bekaa, had it not been accompanied by the atmosphere of sadness that engulfed our country after the announcement of the martyrdom of the kidnapped soldiers, who protected with their lives and the lives of their fellow martyrs Lebanon’s dignity and the safety of its people,” Hariri said.
He added: “We hope Eid al-Adha will represent an opportunity to turn the page of discord and conflict in our country and serve as a lesson for all of us to avoid the factors of division and divergence, and work to achieve the aspirations of the Lebanese for a better future.”
Hariri also apologized for not accepting Adha greetings this year due to the present situation, hoping Eid will bring “peace and stability to Lebanese and Arabs.”
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