BEIRUT: Saad Al-Hariri, who resigned as Lebanese prime minister at the weekend, flew on Tuesday to Abu Dhabi for talks with UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
The two discussed "the brotherly relations between Lebanon and the UAE as well as recent developments in Lebanon,” Al-Hariri's press office said. Al-Hariri then flew back to Riyadh.
Amid the unsettled situation in Lebanon after the prime minister’s unexpected resignation, President Michel Aoun chose to conduct political consultations — with former presidents of the republic, speakers and prime ministers — that have nothing to do with the official consultations to assign a successor to Al-Hariri while waiting for Al-Hariri’s return.
“It is too early to talk about the resignation or the formation of a new government,” said Speaker Nabih Berri, after meeting with President Aoun on Monday night.
The press office of the head of the “Future Movement” parliamentary bloc, Fouad Siniora, said: “There are internal and external causes for Al-Hariri’s resignation which should be examined and addressed.
"On the internal level, some are insisting on controlling the country, disturbing the established balances and causing problems. On the external level, there must be a solution for the imbalances in foreign policy, namely in Lebanon’s relations with Arab countries. We should put an end to whatever does not fulfill Lebanon’s interests regionally or the interests of brotherly Arab countries of the region.
“We should address the problems that led to the resignation and not the resignation itself.”
Salim Jreissati, Lebanese justice minister, who is politically allied with Hezbollah, has undertaken talks with a Hezbollah delegation that included MP Nawar Al-Sahili and the head of coordination in Hezbollah, Hajj Wafiq Safa.
“The talks focused on the repercussions of the PM’s resignation... and the available prospects for dealing with its effects,” said Jreissati after the meeting.
“There is economic and security stability,” he added, stressing: “Everything is under control and they will wait for Al-Hariri’s return before taking any step.”
After his meeting with President Aoun, former President Amine Gemayel slammed regional victory claims and noted that Lebanon did not have to pay the price for things that it had nothing to do with. “It is important to preserve Lebanon’s neutrality and independence,” he said.
Siniora warned of the necessity “to be aware of the dangers that Lebanon is facing and find solutions to the problems we are witnessing.”
He said: “Lebanon has always been keen on its neutrality and non-alignment, but it is now clear that it is heading toward an axis that does not serve its interests. We must adjust the compass, respect the Taif Agreement and the constitution, restore the strong state that is responsible for its entire territory and reinstate a respect for Arab legitimacy that serves the region’s interest. We should also respect the international resolutions to which Lebanon is committed and remain under the umbrella of the Baabda Declaration.
“Prime Minister Al-Hariri will be back in Lebanon and the Future bloc’s priority is his return. We are by his side and we will nominate him to head the new government.”
Taymour Jumblatt, representing his father, MP Walid Jumblatt, who was unable to attend the meeting because of a health problem, said: “Dialogue remains the basis for overcoming any challenge and we confirmed our commitment to reaching a settlement under the umbrella of constitutional institutions.”
Speaking after a meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian at Dar Al-Fatwa, the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil, said: “All Lebanese were affected by this resignation but we will emerge from the crisis. The only available solution is to be united. The Lebanese people want stability and peace and what we can attain through mutual understanding will be a great achievement for us.”
