Hariri: Lebanon's Stability More Important Than Problems Surrounding Us

Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed on Thursday that it is crucial to seek Lebanon's stability first despite the regional crises surrounding it.

“The stage that passed constitutes an awakening for all of us to seek Lebanon's interests first before looking at the problems around us. The problems that surround us are important but Lebanon is more important,” said Hariri on Thursday.

“Our relations with our Arab brothers should be the basis and we must seek all the means to enable Lebanon to have a real disassociation policy, not just in words but also in deeds,” added the Premier.

His remarks came in a speech at the opening of the Annual Arab Banking Conference for 2017 at the Phoenicia Hotel entitled “A Twinning Partnership: Reconstruction and Development”, at the invitation of the Union of Arab Banks.

“Just like Martyr Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, I am glad to be with you today and see the Association of Banks meeting in Beirut so we restore confidence in Lebanon. I thank you for your feelings and assure you that our main concern in Lebanon is stability and this is what we will work for,” stressed Hariri.

Praising the Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh for his ability to maintain Lebanon's monetary stability, he stated: “You have seen the difficulties we faced not only during the past three weeks but also during these last years.

“I pay tribute to the Governor of Central Bank Riad Salameh, who was able, when we politicians disagreed with each other, to fortify the Lebanese pound, so we thank him for his wisdom.”