Hariri Rules Out 'People-Army-Resistance' Equation, Says 'Only Death' Separates Him from March 14 Allies
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced on Monday his total rejection to the people-army-resistance equation, stressing also that he will never abandon his allies.
“The people-army-resistance equation is completely rejected, full stop,” Hariri said in an interview on Future TV.
Hariri explained his controversial decision to take part in a cabinet with Hizbullah ministers.
“If I though about this matter from an emotional perspective only, I would not hold dialogue with other factions in the country in the future,” he said.
“My duty calls for using logic. I have said there are many disagreements with the March 8 camp, especially with Hizbullah.”
Hariri continued: “Our problem with the other camp is their insistence on the 9-9-6 cabinet lineup, as well as on other conditions. We told them before that we are ready to give them the government they want but that they have to withdraw from Syria. We told them to form a neutral cabinet for people's sake.”
“We are against giving them the one third number of ministers with the veto power, and we support rotation of ministries and the Baabda Declaration, not the people-army-resistance equation,” he added.
The former premier stressed that he insists on this stance.
“And if they say they do not want to reconsider their conditions regarding the ministerial statement, we will not change ours as well,” he stated.
Despite the disagreement with some March 14 parties regarding taking part in the cabinet, Hariri assured that he will stand by his allies “till death.”
“We are still communicating with our allies, whether with the Lebanese Forces or with other parties. We explained our point of view to them and I hope (LF leader) Samir Geagea would rethink his stance on participating in the cabinet.”
He assured, however, that he will stand by Geagea regardless of the decision the LF leader takes.
“We will never leave his side,” Hariri said.
The interview with the Sunni leader comes few days after the works of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon was launched to try the suspects accused of killing his father, former premier Rafik Hariri.
“They accused me of abandoning the STL but it has become a reality and it is continuing its work and other suspects may be revealed in the future," Saad Hariri said, reiterating that he is not covering the suspects in any of the recent assassinations in the country.
He added: “What is happening in The Hague is a very significant matter that can cause severe problems in the country.”
“Those who killed Rafik Hariri will be tried and will not escape justice.”
Earlier in the day, Hariri told France's Europe 1 radio that while "the accused are Hizbullah members. Everybody knows it was (Syrian President) Bashar Assad who gave the order."
"For 50 years, political assassinations were part of Lebanese politics," Hariri said commenting on the STL's work to Europe 1.
"For the first time a court is trying to put an end to impunity."
Hariri also denied in Monday evening's interview covering Hizbullah's presence in Syria.
“I am convinced that its involvement there brings chaos and destruction into Lebanon,” he stated. “Hizbullah's decision to get involved in the Syrian war caused the explosions in Lebanon.”
Addressing Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, he reiterated calls for withdrawing from Syria and returning to Lebanon.
“The Free Syrian Army is fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and other extremists and hence, what is Hizbullah's mission in Syria today? It must drop the 'fighting the Takfiris' justification,” he pointed out.
Hariri wished Hizbullah would realize that Assad is a “criminal that does not want any good for Lebanon.”
“There is one Takfiri only and it is Bashar Assad. All his supporters are also Takfiris.”
He also urged Nasrallah to hand over the suspects accused of assassinating late premier Rafik Hariri.
On the presidential elections, Hariri stated that a March 14 candidate will be nominated to run for office.
“We will nominate a March 14 candidate for presidency and we want a head of state that rejects foreign orders and that puts Lebanon's interest first,” he stressed.
The former premier also expressed that President Michel Suleiman represents Lebanon “very well.”
“I am with amending the constitution so that a president can run for two terms. Suleiman said he is against the extension of his mandate and I think he represents Lebanon very well,” Hariri elaborated.
Separately, Hariri called for punishing those putting the northern city of Tripoli's security at risk.
“Who is the party benefiting from the chaos in Tripoli? Where is the army intelligence? Why aren't these forces doing their job after the 19th round of clashes? the army must act with an iron fist.”
“There are some third parties involved in Tripoli's clashes,” he noted.
On his highly anticipated return to Lebanon, he said he will come back when “he decides it's time.”
"But each time I take the decision to return, someone is assassinated,” he remarked.
In his interview with Europe 1 radio, he had said earlier on Monday that "he will return to Lebanon for the elections and will one day become prime minister."
Hariri thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for offering three billion dollars in aid to arm the military institution, considering that the donation indicates that KSA supports the states' institutions.
He revealed also that Suleiman was the person who sought after the donation.
over 10 years
roar. I guess a compromise on the ministerial statement will determine the extent of their will to work together.
If that happens, then I definitely agree on your perspective. keep feeding us with positive news...
over 10 years
I do hope m8 guys are really seeing this interview :)
maybe they will realize now that hi\bushaitan is something of the past based on the assurences given by iran to the international community :)
we are regaining our country :)
it is time to rejoice :)
over 10 years
totally agree with bani, only a neutral cabinet would do.
Hariri making 2 mistakes : cabinet with HA and coming back to lebanon...
over 10 years
Hizballa will murder him and they'll murder Geagea too. Mark my words.
over 10 years
Paula has intelligence and brillance, you have a total lack of both ya Bani. Lack of...whatever, :) :)
over 10 years
phoenix: take the chip off your shoulder. Learn to move on, instead of looking to pick a fight.
over 10 years
Excellent source @mckinl! Do you believe in astrology?
over 10 years
@mckinl
you are confirming part of my info :)
yes Bandar is sidelined as his current role is done after iran agreed to disband hizushaitan.
all extremists will be wipe out if they resist.
over 10 years
has anyone hear about today's report on Syria?
a trial is on its way to judge the Syrian regime for crimes against humanity :)
over 10 years
@ geha and ice-man ...
The entire narrative of Assad using chemical weapons has fallen apart with the new disclosures around Ghouta and other attacks. Which leaves the question: Who staged these attacks?
It has now become obvious that Bandar bin Sultan was the agent behind the madness. This includes the premeditated murders of hundreds of women and children hostages as was described by a Nun.
And geha this is why Assad will now be charged with crimes against humanity at this time ... It can never be admitted that the KSA through Bandar has committed such atrocities, this is the cover up.
over 10 years
Look @mckinl, I respect your views when it comes to the IMF and the Abyss, but when it comes to chemistry, biology, and astrology, please sorry!
over 10 years
@mckinl
again with the cover up theories :) back to the kennedy assassination / :)
whatever, what is important to me is that hizbushaitan will be disbanded, and calm and prosperity is coming back to Lebanon.
over 10 years
guys, the days of hizbushaitan murdering anybody are over.
this is a transitional cabinet, that will be followed by presidential elections, and the most important: parliamentary elections.
from here on, you will start to see rifts in the shia community, with people drifting away from hizbushaitan and a lot of moderates finally being able to come to light.
this will produce a different parliament at the level of the shia community :)
over 10 years
Ice..... how can you compare Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, USA Today, CNN, NBC, and Time versus some unregulated blog that requires no fact-checking or accuracy?
over 10 years
Oh please ice-man ... your list of US-Zionist propaganda were the same sources that said Sadam had nukes and chemical weapons after inspections.
These same sources had 40% of Americans believing Sadam was the mastermind behind 9/11/01 ...
over 10 years
Beirut intl airport will be glad to receive u mr saadeldin
over 10 years
He is a good person and is well connected internationally, as well as having the majority backing of his community. Thus he is a good candidate for Prime Minister.
over 10 years
thefact the point of splitting the PM/President/Speaker is that so each community can elect a powerful executive. if we leave it all to a simple majority then Shia would elect all the executives (which has actually been the case for the past few years...Mikati put into power by 2011 intimidation and Pres. Suleiman in 2008 by May 7 events..)
over 10 years
I'd rather Have Hariri (or Seniora) than any other, (especially newly emerged Takfiris). I respect the Hariri legacy, especially the father, and "I am Christian". .. Had to mention it, otherwise I would have sounded Cliche.
over 10 years
The fool: Saying "I am christian" is a cliché in itself.
over 10 years
If they have to choose between their families and their masters Lebanese will choose their masters always.
over 10 years
And that is sad but did u ever vote to some unknown independant?? Really?? Not to make points but if u did it is rare and if there is true indenpandants (or politicians) worth voting for...
Banana republic (not bc geagea used it i can't...) :)
over 10 years
wait wait if they have a choice they will always choose money.
over 10 years
First of all fools he ( Saad Hariri ) is one of the most recognised people in lebanon. Lebanon relies on tourism as it's major income , lets see now who would you want to represent lebanon nasrollah as the face of lebanon yeah right lets see who else Aoun the epitome of senility, so if you look high and low the rest are all crooks and war criminals at least hariri is young and intelligent frankly i don't know why he wants such a crap job as lebanese PM its thankless and highly risky but obviously the man loves his country which is more than i can say for the rest of the rif raf
over 10 years
You remind me of Martin Luther King!
over 10 years
ouch!! you fools have hurt watan-libnan's pay-master!! shame on you lol
over 10 years
The fact. I see your point. But i think, Let us HOPE Hariri becomes premier again. True, in the past, Saad made some mistakes. However, look at the alternative:
By definition, in all arab countries sunnite parties are extremists. (nahda, moslem brotherhood, wahabis, salafis...) Our homegrown lebanese sunnis are the most moderate. Partly because their shephard Rafic Hariri (RIP) was a moderate peace loving individual. And Hariri's influence will stay for a whole generation. Whatever happens. Because Rafic lifted tens of thousands of people out of poverty by providing them with higher education.
So sunnis will choose his son. And that is a good thing for Lebanon.
over 10 years
there are assurances that iran will disband hizbushaitan as part of their agreement.
this is why he will come back.
over 10 years
geha.
Any source? Else you are living in la la land.
"Disband" HA... waow....!!!!!!!!!!!
over 10 years
OK, let us wait and see :)
did you expect hizbushaitan to back down for the cabinet formation?
well tomorrow you will hear about more backing down from hizzbushaitan :)
and each day more and more....
over 10 years
Someone on this page should use the word "equal". Note I do not use it in al Rahi's sense of "the thirty percent who are Christian are equal under the law, in terms of Parliamentary representation, with the seventy percent who are Muslim, and this is God's merciful will."
over 10 years
Its true Chris, under the law Christians are equal, that's the law that everyone agreed on. Since you're on that subject give the Lebanese that immigrated or live outside Lebanon the right to vote and your calculations will be way off.
over 10 years
Or lets go for a secular progressist modern state (capitalism or socialism can be solved later..)
Who do u think would oppose?
over 10 years
It is the national Lebanese will that our Christian partners get 50% of the parliament despite representing less than this demographically...I think it is a good policy, since Lebanon losing its liberal character would be a tragedy. It is our main strength, and the only thing protecting our culture against the inner-land Arabia.
over 10 years
Since your name is Chris, I am assuming you are some American or Canadian or something who fancies himself a champion of human rights, trying to teach us dumb Arabs about democracy. Don't worry, of all the things Lebanon is doing wrong, giving the Christians more power is not one of them.
over 10 years
In fact it's the third seat, the second is bery's (or the head of the parlement, but it is with him for so long now...)
over 10 years
“The people-army-resistance equation is completely rejected, full stop”… No more BS motto!
This was a good speech by Hariri. If the militia wants to be part of the Lebanese government they have to accept the responsibilities that come with it. Let them recall their forces from Syria, Let Assad fight his own war. They need to disarm like Everyone els and their allegiance must only be to Lebanon not to the so called Axis.
over 10 years
Absolutely right on!
over 10 years
The guy forgot that he said he will not accept a government with Hezz ya Nawa3em wel sama zar2a. And you believed him right friggin on, absolute idiot.
over 10 years
The people-army-resistance equation is completely rejected and this is final
over 10 years
"The Free Syrian Army is fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and other extremists and hence, what is Hizbullah's mission in Syria today? It must drop the 'fighting the Takfiris' justification." O.K., fair statement so long as your masters backed them 100% and address any and all legitimate concerns of H.A. for fighting the extremists in Syria.
over 10 years
"Moderation is what get Muslims out of this impasse. Extremism does not serve anyone..." Well said. This is what all Lebanese must demand and practice.
over 10 years
Paula Yacoubian interviewing Hariri holds the same sway as OTV interviewing Michel Aoun and Al Manar TV interviewing Sayed Hassan and NBN interviewing Nabih Berri. But the average Lebanese person working flat out to make a living, who is asking him for his views?
over 10 years
It seems you have an issue with where the interview was done rather than the content. If you have anything against what he said then fine. Otherwise, your comments are nonsense.
over 10 years
This speech was impeccable. Some of my favorite parts:
----
Hariri: Who is the party benefiting from the chaos in Tripoli? Whether from Jabal Mohsen or Bab al-Tabbaneh, the army must act with an iron fist. There are some third parties involved in Tripoli's clashes.
----
“I am with amending the constitution so that a president can run for two terms. Suleiman said he is against the extension of his mandate and I think he represents Lebanon very well,” Hariri elaborated.
----
“We are still communicating with our allies, whether with the Lebanese Forces or with other parties. We explained our point of view to them and I hope (LF leader) Samir Geagea would rethink his stance on participating in the cabinet.”
He assured, however, that he will stand by Geagea regardless of the decision the LF leader takes.
“We will never leave his side,” Hariri said.
----
over 10 years
1) Agree completely, and confirms my suspicion that Hariri and the political elite have agreed to face some of the extreme Sunni elements that have popped up (which will protect Lebanon's safety and maintain FM position within the community).
2) Agree, no need to further elaborate.
3) I was hoping for Hariri to make a statement like this regarding the LF. Forever the FM and LF are partners of the Cedar Revolution, the only ones who stuck to it 100% and never faltered.
over 10 years
let us put Geagea and you can make his power as strong as you want
over 10 years
still high?
over 10 years
How can you take Chameleon's and liars like Saad Hariri seriously? The man suddenly changes his words(not actions) and he is hailed as a hero??? Lool!
over 10 years
The 3rd party that are in tripoly creating these chaos are the ones u brought in Mr.Hariri
over 10 years
Hezbollah will, of course insist on the People-Army-Resistance formula. Hezbollah engages in all sorts of illegal operations justified by its legitimacy as a resistance which is given by the Policy Statement. Hezbollah is even smuggling guns and ammunition from Lebanon into the Syria War and selling to the FSA at a maximum profit. So, Hezbollah is fighting on the regime side in the war, and is arming the FSA in the same war.
This is out of the Israeli playbook where Israel would buy weapons from the US and sell them to Iran during the Iran-Iraq War at a profit.
Hezbollah=Israel. There is not much difference in how they operate.
If you come back to lebanon and find a way to work with HA and build a coalitoin that prevents Lebanon from becoming a victim of HA's adventures, then you will deserve the premiership.
Your first step in doing that is courting the FPM. And you are doing just that. Keep at it.