Hariri Discusses Situation in Lebanon, Mideast with British Officials
Al-Mustaqbal movement leader Saad Hariri discussed with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband latest developments in Lebanon and the Middle East, the state-run National News Agency reported Tuesday.
NNA said Hariri met with Miliband at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Tuesday afternoon.
The two officials also discussed latest efforts to find a solution to the Palestinian cause.
Hariri had a lunch meeting with a group of Arab and Lebanese bankers in Britain and discussed with them the world financial crisis and its repercussions on the banking sector in Europe and the United States.
The Lebanese MP also heard viewpoints about ways to deal with Lebanese returning from abroad as a result of the crisis.
Hariri also met on Tuesday with British Shadow Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office David Lidington.
"This is my first meeting with MP Hariri, we spoke of the internal situation in Lebanon, Syrian relations as well as about the general picture in the region. He expressed to me his wishes for achieving peace in the Middle East the soonest possible. We also discussed the Iranian nuclear challenge and the need for Iran to respond to international law and the conditions of the IAEA," Lidington said of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
He welcomed the state of stability in Lebanon adding that violence and hardship in the country increase with instability. He hoped that Lebanon would hold its parliamentary elections next June without any foreign intervention.
Lidington welcomed U.S. President Barack Obama”s "openness" and "willingness" to start dialogue with Iran. "I don”t think that we should refuse to open dialogue with any party whether we agree with it or not. However, I believe the Americans have to clearly express their willingness to find a comprehensive settlement to the region”s issues through this dialogue and hold normal relations with Iran."
In return, Iran should respond to international law regarding its nuclear energy issue and "stop supporting terrorism," he added.
Hariri paid a visit to the London based pan-Arab newspaper al-Hayat.