Hariri to Escalate Tone if Attacks Persist Against Religious Symbols
Prime Minister Saad Hariri warned — after meeting with Grand Sunni Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani — that he will escalate his tone in case attacks persisted against the religious symbols of Lebanon, adding that there are many things to be corrected in the country especially that it is being run by a national unity government.
He added that the Judiciary is an essential cornerstone for the rise of the state and that attacking it over a dispute with one judge was not accepted.
Earlier Wednesday, Hariri met with Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir "to discuss latest developments, including trip to Syria," as he told reporters.
He said he was seeking a solution to border demarcation with Syria in order to open "good" economic and trade relations between Beirut and Damascus.
"We are seeking a solution to border demarcation with Syria in order to open good economic and trade relations between the two countries," Hariri told reporters after meeting.
"Why do we need border demarcation with Syria? We need border demarcation to open up economically to each other," he said in reply to a reporter”s question.
While he reiterated that Sfeir is "Lebanon”s conscience," Hariri said he got the patriarch”s blessing for his Damascus trip "where I found full openness" from Syrian President Bashar Assad.
"We need to look at things positively for the sake of the peoples of the two countries," Hariri urged, stressing that his visit to Syria, which he described as "historic," was in his capacity as prime minister.
He said his visit to Bkirki was also designed to wish Sfeir merry Christmas and happy holidays.
Hariri later visited the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Patriarchates to extend his Christmas greetings.
The premier also paid a visit to Deputy Head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan.