Hariri: Disassociation protects Lebanon from regional problems

Prime Minister Saad Hariri said that the choice of suspending the resignation allows all political parties to understand that disassociation from all that is happening around us is the basic policy that protects Lebanon from the region's problems, adding that this choice is for the country's interest.

He said: "We should all dialogue to preserve the safety of this country and the Lebanese people, and our relations with the Arab brotherly countries that also have the right to preserve their security. We want the best relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Hariri was addressing last night at the "Center House" the Grand Mufti Abdel Latif Derian and a large delegation of Muftis, imams, preachers and sheikhs from various Lebanese regions.

At the beginning, Mufti Derian praised the national stances of Prime Minister Hariri and said that the delegation understands the reasons behind the resignation, adding that Dar al-Fatwa opened its doors to all political and religious parties who unanimously agreed on the necessity of the return of Prime Minister Saad Hariri to his country.

He said: "There is an overwhelming national consensus on you and your outstanding performance, you offered numerous national initiatives that were never in your personal interest but aimed at protecting Lebanon and its interests." He said that Lebanon is an Arab country that wants the best relations with the Arab countries, and supported the disassociation policy.

For his part, Premier Hariri welcomed the Mufti and the delegation. He said: "Dar al-Fatwa is the safety valve for this country and late Prime Minister Rafic Hariri believed in this role and protected it from all political interferences that used to happen at that time. The positive shock that happened as a result of the resignation and then the suspension represents an opportunity for all political parties to make sure that disassociation from all that is happening around us is the basic policy that protects Lebanon from the region's problems."

He added: "My policy is based on one thing, protecting Lebanon and the Lebanese, particularly the Sunnis because when we see the wars and destruction in Syria or Iraq we understand that we should spare Lebanon from all the surrounding dangers and this is what we are doing.

Sunnis in Lebanon have rights like other religions and sects. It is our constitutional right to have them. I will preserve the rights of the Sunnis and this is my constitutional duty in the first place. But we do not live alone in this country and we should dialogue to preserve the safety of this country, of the Lebanese people, to preserve Dar al-Fatwa and our unity as a sect. I am not afraid of confrontation, but we have to preserve the country and dialogue because everybody wants security and stability

Source: NNA