Hariri: Suleiman Announced Transition to State Whose Army is Not Rivaled by Any Other Army
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Sunday welcomed President Michel Suleiman's announcement that Saudi Arabia will give three billion dollars to the Lebanese army, describing the move as “a step towards transiting to a real state” whose army “is not rivaled by any other army.”
“In his address to the Lebanese, President Michel Suleiman announced an extraordinary step towards transiting to a real state whose authority is not challenged by any other authority, whose army is not rivaled by any other party, and whose constitution is not breached by any other constitution,” Hariri said in a statement.
“President Michel Suleiman frankly said that he is shouldering the responsibility of defending the republic and that he will end his presidential term with a clear conscience, and that the rise of the state and its institutions can only be achieved through a strong, capable army that shoulders the responsibilities of defending the borders, sovereignty and domestic peace,” the ex-PM added.
He noted that Arab states are keen on the Lebanese army and that Saudi Arabia and its king Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz are keen on Lebanon's stability.
Hariri also pointed out that Suleiman's televised speech “soothed the wound of thousands of Lebanese who were deeply hurt by the assassination of the martyr Mohammed Shatah and his companions.”
“His words stated that there is still hope in the rise of the state and its institutions and that the support of the loyal brothers for this state and its army must be capitalized on for the sake of protecting Lebanon and confronting the threats it is facing,” Hariri added.
“We stand by the president in this landmark step and urge all leaders and parties to close ranks to protect it, support it and implement it as soon as possible,” the ex-PM went on to say.
He also extended gratitude to Suleiman and King Abdullah over the move, asking God to “protect Lebanon and its people against all evils.”
Suleiman on Sunday announced that Saudi Arabia has decided to donate three billion dollars with the aim of purchasing French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.
After canceling a much-anticipated press conference previously scheduled for Sunday evening, Suleiman appeared in a televised address to declare that he managed through his talks with King Abdullah to secure “extraordinary support” for the army.
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