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situation,” said Hariri: “I am also confident that other friendly states, including Iran, are
following up on this matter with responsibility.”
Lebanon is witnessing mounting tensions over the UN-backed Special Tribunal for
Lebanon (STL). The Hizbullah-led March 8 coalition has dismissed the court as an “Israeli
project” targeting the resistance. The party predicted that a number of its members
would be named in an imminent STL indictment, while Hizbullah denies any involvement
in the assassination.
Nevertheless, March 14 parties, headed by Hariri, insist the tribunal is the only means to
punish criminals.
Saudi Arabia and Syria are playing a mediating role in a bid to reach a compromise
acceptable to both sides.
Hariri said the consistency of Lebanese and regional stability was deeply discussed during
his talks with Iranian officials. “We stressed Lebanon’s right to liberate its territories in
the south, its commitment to implementing Resolution 1701 and support of the Arab
peace initiative,” he added.
The prime minister said the economic results of the talks “are moving toward a serious
and fruitful dialogue, which we hope to continue by establishing the Lebanese-Iranian
High Committee.”
The committee is to convene within three months in Iran, with the first session to be
attended by Hariri, the Lebanese delegation sources said.
“In parallel to this step, cooperation is planned in the fields of energy, power, oil-drilling
and the enhancement of technical and vocational capabilities along with the exchange of
expertise of administrative reform,” Hariri said. He added that his Cabinet was
committed to its policy statement which stipulated that Lebanon’s people, army and
resistance have the right to liberate and defend the country. “This is what we are
committed to and national unity is what protects us,” he said.
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