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Hariri Denies Any Tension with Saudi Arabia

Published December 17th, 2017 - 08:47 GMT
During the meeting, he also said that an amnesty law would “soon” be completed and called it “very serious” (AFP/File)
During the meeting, he also said that an amnesty law would “soon” be completed and called it “very serious” (AFP/File)

 

  • Hariri denied any tension with Saudi Arabia
  • He said he will ensure all parties complied with Lebanon's policy of dissociation
  • He also said an amnesty law would “soon” be completed and called it “very serious”
  • Hariri also stressed the importance of political actors working together

 

Prime Minister Saad Hariri Saturday denied that his relationship with Saudi Arabia had been strained since he announced his now-rescinded resignation on Nov. 4. and said he would be vigilant to ensure parties complied with the policy of dissociation.

"There are those who are trying to suggest that I have problems with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, which is not true at all, some parties have problems with the Gulf themselves,” he said during a meeting with a delegation of mukhtars, according to a statement from his media office.

“I will follow the issue of implementing the policy of dissociation daily and if not all parties respect this decision then their problem will be with me personally,” he said.

Hariri announced his surprise resignation in a televised statement on Nov. 4 plunging the country into a political crisis. After he returned to Lebanon ahead of Independence Day on Nov. 22 he met with President Michel Aoun and agreed to hold his resignation. Political parties then agreed to reaffirm the policy of dissociation, announced at a special Cabinet session earlier this month, and he withdrew his resignation.

During the meeting, he also said that an amnesty law would “soon” be completed and called it “very serious.”

 

 

"I am working on it with the Justice Minister Salim Jreissati, the Military Court, the prosecutors, the MPs of the Future bloc and all concerned. We are keen to turn this to an accomplishment, a subject to be completed."

The prime minister again raised the issue of a law to be passed to grant amnesty to thousands of people in Lebanon with outstanding low-level arrest warrants, many of whom say they are unaware they are wanted by authorities, and that would also see hundreds of people held in Lebanese prisons pending trial for years released. Demonstrations by family members of prisoners awaiting trial are held regularly.

Hariri also stressed the importance of political actors working together, saying that "there must be political cooperation between Lebanon's parties to make achievements, especially economic growth." He added: "Based on previous experiences from 2005 until the election of President Michel Aoun [on Oct. 31, 2016] and the formation of the government has proved that no side can eliminate the other. Lebanon is focused on building a genuine national partnership where each team has its rights and duties."

However, he said that the current good relationships between the political parties would facilitate achievements.

"The settlement that has taken place in the country allows us to work in politics much better than in the period of division we have experienced, and this will help us make achievements," he said.

 

This article has been adapted from its original source.

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