Global Arab Network | Hariri, Sarkozy Meeting - A Call for Lebanon Unity

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Hariri, Sarkozy Meeting - A Call for Lebanon Unity

Global Arab Network - - Ayman Khalil

Tuesday, 30 November 2010 20:24

France (PARIS) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri to discuss the situation in Lebanon and bilateral and regional relations.

French diplomats noted after the talks that the meeting was part of a series of discussions Sarkozy has held with leading Lebanese figures in the past months.

"The President met with President (Michel) Suleiman, House Speaker Nabih Berri and with General (Michel) Aoun, among others, and he already met last summer with Hariri," a diplomat from Sarkozys office noted.

The talks with the Lebanese Premier were an opportunity to reiterate Frances position on the country, "a position that has not changed," an official at the Elysee Palace said.

France supports "the unity of all the Lebanese behind the country’s institution," he pointed out, adding that France also "supports the Lebanese authorities, in this case in the person of (Prime Minister) Hariri." "France is also ready to contribute to prosperity and stability in Lebanon" and will also continue to deploy forces with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is located in the south of the country.

Leaving the talks at the Elysee Palace, Hariri told journalists that he wanted to thank Sarkozy for his support for Lebanon in several areas.

"France is always at the side of Lebanon," he declared, remarking that he had discussed the stability of his country with the French leader.

He said that he believed France would help guarantee Lebanese security and was participating in UN efforts to stabilize the south of the country. He also said he hoped that maybe France could encourage Israel to halt incursions and air space violations in the south.

Concerning the Special Tribunal set up with strong French support to investigate the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, the visiting Lebanese leader said that "France has always supported the Special Tribunal" investigating the murder of his father.

The UN investigative body is soon due to publish its findings and even issue indictments of suspects alleged to have been involved the bomb attack that killed the former Prime Minister and 20 other people in central Beirut.

Asked about a crisis in Lebanon if certain Lebanese parties, like Hezbollah, are named by the Tribunal, Hariri said that "dialogue must take place in Lebanon and we will take that path." Hezbollah, which is a member of the coalition government, has threatened to call for widespread demonstrations and protests if any of its members are indicted by the Tribunal.

The Lebanese Premier expressed satisfaction with his working relationship with Hezbollah, which he called "an important party in Lebanon." Hariri, who flew to Paris after a visit to Tehran, said that Lebanon had "friendly relations with Iran" and he denied reports quoting him as speaking against the Iranian regime.

The quotes were leaked by the now renowned Wikileak site but the Lebanese leader categorically denied having made any critical remarks about Iran.

Hariri is also meeting later this week with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon and Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.

Global Arab Network

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