Hariri: Critical Review on Relations with Syria Done, Lebanon Is Far from War or Internal Incitements

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri pointed out that, "We are aiming at a serious, rightful, and brotherly relation with Syria, which we do not retract from.

The relation is based on honesty and sincere negotiations with Syrian President Bashar Al Assad on all issues, whether they were normal or sensitive ones.

"When I visit Syria today, I feel like I'm visiting a brotherly, friendly state, even though my first visit had left a harsh impression," he added.

Hariri clarified that, "I had a critical review on my relation with Syria, there were many mistakes, and we should learn from the past to build the future, for if we live on the past remains and tragedies, we would never make progress."

In an interview with Al Hayat newspaper, Lebanese PM considered that it is not wrong to do a mistake, what's wrong is not to do a revision and accept the fact that one has mistaken.

He assured that Syrian president had never raised any internal Lebanese issue during their meetings, saying, "It would be unfair to say that by receiving Lebanese officials, Syria would be interfering in internal Lebanese issues."

"Many of my allies and close companions visit Arab states, so there is positive interference. For instance, nobody could deny that the Saudi-Syrian agreement led to formation of the national unity government," he pointed out.

Regarding the International tribunal's decision on Rafik Hariri's assassination, Hariri assured that his response would consider the fact that he is the Lebanese Prime Minister, indicating that, "I will see what the national benefit would require." Hariri emphasized that, "incitement is rejected in Lebanon, especially that Christians, Muslims, Sunnis and Shiites will all confront it," and assured, "incitement is a political decision, and that those capable of creating it, are also capable of preventing it. If one can't prevent it then he should avoid it."

Hariri stressed that all Lebanon is subject to "Israeli" threats, and what we should all work on is to prevent any confrontation with "Israel", pointing out that, "we should have a calm dialogue in order to give confidence to the Lebanese, and this is how Lebanese would face all "Israeli" threats."

Hariri added that, "there isn't any internal or external war; there are only "Israeli" incitements that we will face with our unity."