Hariri In Tripoli after Warning against Syrian Comeback Attempts
Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri arrived in Tripoli Saturday for talks with leaders of north Lebanon aimed at launching development projects and facilitating stability.
Hariri is to meet representatives of Tripoli and the provinces of Dinniyeh, Minyeh and Akkar in an effort to tackle challenges facing north Lebanon.
The visit came a few hours after Hariri hit back at Syrian President Bashar Assad saying the side that "exports terror to north Lebanon has no right to fear the spread of fundamentalism in Lebanon."
He urged the Lebanese people, the Arab League and the international community to guard against attempts by Syria to make a comeback to Lebanon.
Hariri made the remark in an Iftar banquet at his Beirut residence.
"Lebanon faces a variety of threats. We have lately heard someone saying the situation in Lebanon remains fragile and no settlement is available for Lebanon before solving the crisis of fundamentalism," Hariri said in reference to a statement made by Assad.
"We say the side that exports terror to north Lebanon has no right to fear the spread of fundamentalism in Lebanon," Hariri added.
The Lebanese people, Hariri said, "realize who exported Fatah al-Islam to Nahr al-Bared and north Lebanon and know very well who organizes and finances terrorist activities."
"Lebanon is a sovereign and independent Arab state and no one has the right … to treat Lebanon as a non mature state," Hariri said.