Mufti of Tripoli Says he and Hariri Intend to Return to Lebanon

Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malek al-Shaar disclosed his intentions Thursday to return to Lebanon, pointing out that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri holds the same will, the Kuwaiti al-Seyassah daily reported.

“The necessary arrangements for my personal safety are underway to pave for my return to Lebanon,” al-Shaar told the daily after a meeting with Hariri at his residence in Paris on Tuesday.

He added “Hariri still has the will to come back to his beloved country.”

According to reports published earlier this week, the former premier is seriously considering returning to Lebanon within two months.

Describing his meeting with Hariri as “positive,” al-Shaar said “Hariri is really concerned about the reasons that compelled me to leave Lebanon (and the life threats that targeted him). We tackled the latest developments in Lebanon with special emphasis on the deteriorating security conditions in the city of Tripoli.”

On his part, Hariri reiterated the “national role played by Shaar to consolidate coexistence,” pointing to “Shaar's good relations with all parties in the city of Tripoli.”

The Tripoli Mufti revealed last week some details surrounding the alleged death threats he had received and which made him decide to prolong his stay in Europe.

Hariri left to Paris in 2011 after he received death threats.