Hariri: Any Regional War Direct Result of International Community Inaction
Prime Minister Saad Hariri said any future war in the region would be the direct result of international community inaction and failure to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"War in the region has never been due to a decision taken by Lebanon. Any war is a direct result of inaction on the part of the international community and the failure to move seriously on the peace process," Hariri told the German Press Agency dpa in an exclusive interview."All wars with Israel, in which Lebanon has been the victim of, have been launched by Israel, not by us, and Lebanon is the one who paid a very high price, in human lives, displaced people and destroyed infrastructure," Hariri said.
"The problem is that we live in a volatile region. It all boils down to what got us to be in this situation of regional instability, and the answer to that is failure to do anything on the peace process," he told dpa.
Asked about Israeli threats to hold the Lebanese government responsible for any attack by Hizbullah on Israel, the premier said: "This is not the first time that Hizbullah has been part of the government. This goes to show how the Israelis are always looking for pretexts.
The Shiite party is represented in parliament as a result of democratic elections, he said.
Hariri said he will make a three day visit to Germany on Sunday to "discuss the regional situation and how to protect Lebanon from regional conflicts."
He told his interviewer that talks in Berlin will tackle ways to boost cooperation with Germany which contributes to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
The prime minister also warned of growing political extremism given the failure of the peace process.
"Today fighting extremism is not the responsibility of one country alone. It is the responsibility of the whole world. In our region, for instance, extremists are unfortunately gaining audience, at the expense of moderates," he said.
On relations with Syria, Hariri told dpa that ties "are on the right track."
"We are approaching them in a very positive attitude, and we are met with a very positive attitude by Damascus. We are two neighbors, united by Arab identity," he said.
Hariri said he will be visiting Damascus again "in the coming weeks for more in-depth discussions on all these issues."
Turning to the issue of the international tribunal that would try his father's suspected assassins, Hariri said: "I have complete faith in the Tribunal. Whatever the results from it, I will accept."
"This has always been my position, and it will remain the same," he added.
