Sovereignty Won’t Be Weakened, Christian Allies Won’t Be Abandoned
Lebanon First bloc MP Okab Sakr denied in an interview with Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Rai on Tuesday reports that Prime Minister Saad Hariri is being pressured to abandon his Christian allies, namely the Lebanese Forces.
He added that Hariri overcame a personal issue, referring to the assassination of his father, former PM Rafik Hariri, to visit Syria and save Lebanon.
He will not undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty, said Sakr.
“I do not think he is ready to sacrifice Lebanon’s sovereignty for the sake of Syria or any person,” he said, adding that should Hariri abandon any of his allies then that means he is undermining Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Sakr also said that Hariri is “absolutely convinced” with his alliances in March 14, even though some figures, such as Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt distanced himself from Hariri.
Sakr added that Hariri’s alliance with the LF and the Kataeb Party is strategic, adding that Hariri is trying “to maintain national unity rather than disparity.”
He also said that Hariri’s press conference at the Lebanese Embassy in Damascus on Sunday was “a clear sign” of his commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty. Sakr added that for Lebanese-Syrian relations to succeed, active short-term steps should be taken in line with the agreements reached between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Hariri.
Sakr commented on statements made by figures in the March 8 coalition that Hariri’s Damascus visit will restore security to Lebanon and will put an end to assassinations “implies that the Syria was responsible for the security breaches in Lebanon. This is dangerous rhetoric.”