Hariri: Hizbullah, its Allies Believe they are More Powerful than Countries

Head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri stated on Wednesday that Hizbullah must realize that “it not alone in Lebanon,” saying it should take into account the interests of the Lebanese people.

He said before a delegation of clergymen from the northern district of Akkar: “Some sides, whether they are Hizbullah or its allies, believe that they are more powerful than countries.”

They must understand that the Lebanese people have interests in other nations, added Hariri.

They should realize that they are exposing Lebanon and the Lebanese people in the Arab world to dangers, warned the former premier from the Center House in Beirut.

The concept of Arab consensus was adopted at the Arab League when it was founded through a Lebanese request, he elaborated.

Such an idea was advocated by Lebanon because it feared that being such a small country, voting would not fall in its favor, explained Hariri.

“We are passing through a very critical time and campaigns have been launched against us because we have rejected oppression that the Syrian people are enduring,” he stressed.

“We must fortify Lebanon against these developments. It is through this fortification that we will be able to help our Syrian brothers,” he added.

“We are here in Lebanon and we will not be an easy pill to swallow. We will forge ahead along the path that was paved by slain former Premier Rafik Hariri,” he declared.

“Our mission is to save the country and we are keen on protecting it against all threats,” he stated.

Saudi Arabia decided last week to halt a $4 billion grant to the Lebanese army and security forces and to review its diplomatic relations with Lebanon. The stance came after Lebanon's foreign ministry declined to vote in favor of Saudi-backed resolutions against Iran during two meetings of Arab and Muslim foreign ministers.

It also followed fierce anti-Saudi statements by Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Announcing its decision on Friday, the kingdom deplored "political and media campaigns inspired by Hizbullah against Saudi Arabia," as well as what it called the group's "terrorist acts against Arab and Muslim nations."

In a statement, Hizbullah said Saudi Arabia stopped the military aid because of economic pressures from the war in Yemen, where it leads an Arab military coalition fighting Iran-backed rebels, and lower oil revenues.

The $3 billion deal funded military equipment provided by France and was to ship vehicles, helicopters, drones, artillery and other equipment to Lebanon.

Furthermore, Gulf states of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait issued travel advisories to their citizens, urging them to leave Lebanon.

M.T.