Al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Saad Hariri said that Lebanon would be the fist to benefit from a Syrian-Israeli peace, adding that Syrian-Saudi rapprochement is needed for uniting the Arab stance concerning the Arab peace initiative.
In an interview with France International radio, Hariri said that western openness on Syria would not be at Lebanon”s expense adding: "we would be the first to benefit from the peace, because when Syria signs (…) a lot of things would change."
Hariri explained that Syrian-Saudi rapprochement is a needed Arab process in light of the existing tensions in the region, particularly when the new Israeli government is not a centrist government. He stressed the need for a united Arab stance regarding the Arab peace initiative.
"For seven years Israel has done nothing. If the Arabs wish to keep that initiative on the table, Israel would find out that it is facing a united Arab stance that would be hard to divide," Hariri said.
Regarding the issue of the parliamentary elections in Lebanon on June 7, Hariri said that he does not mind the emergence of a national unity government similar to the 2005 government. However, he prefers to refer matters to the Lebanese constitution rather than submit to veto concept, as is the case now.
The Mustaqbal leader added that the dispute between his movement and Hizbullah is political in nature and not sectarian, saying dialogue with Hizbullah does not mean that we approve its policies.
Regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that would bring to justice those guilty of assassinating his father Rafik Hariri in 2005, Hariri said that the tribunal is not politicized because it has internationally distinguished judges and would also look at other assassinations in that took place in Lebanon.
Lebanon”s biggest challenge for 2009 is its national economy in light of the current world economic crisis, Hariri said adding that this also includes the formation of the special tribunal, the Syrian-Israeli peace process and the Palestinian-Israeli peace track all would influence events in Lebanon.
On the subject of business and economics Hariri supported the process of privatization saying it opens new job opportunities for Lebanese professionals. He favored amending business laws, lowering taxes, absorbing Lebanese expatriates returning home and reducing business costs for private firms.