Bassil From Italy: It is not normal for our Prime Minister to be in Ambiguous State 15 Nov 2017 Rome - "Our aim is to maintain the stability of Lebanon which, in turn, is required for the stability of the region and Europe," Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil told a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart. "Unfortunately, what we face recently is a threat to the positive course that Lebanon was taking," he said. "We do hope for good relations with our neighbors and with all the Arab countries. We are in Italy to explain the situation to our European partners and ask for their support," he said. "It is not normal for our Prime Minister to be in an ambiguous situation, despite him declaring his intention to return. There is no reason for him not to return to Lebanon," Bassil said in the framework of his Europe tour. "We need to be able to talk freely with Hariri and discuss his demands and work with him on resolving them." "Our goal is to resolve the crisis bilaterally, so as to return to normalcy. Europe is clearly in compliance with international charters that are at risk of violation; a fact that could create precedents in this area," Bassil added. "I have not received a call from Prime Minister Hariri, neither did I speak to him since he went to Saudi Arabia. (...) We will fulfill all the necessary measures in order to solve the problem through brotherhood and the good relations with Saudi Arabia. This is the most effective way for the return of Prime Minister Hariri to Beirut," he concluded. Bassil Meets British Counterpart: Hariri will find in President of Republic Best Listener 15 Nov 2017 London - British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, conveyed after meeting with Foreign Minister, Gebran Bassil "Britain's keenness on the stability of Lebanon, and its distancing from any regional calculations." Johnson had issued a statement on the situation in Lebanon last Sunday, expressing Britain's position on respecting the sovereignty, independence and stability of Lebanon, calling for "the return of Premier Saad Hariri without further delay." For his part, minister Bassil stressed "the priority of the return of Prime Minister Hariri to Lebanon, where he will find the President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, to be the best listener to all the concerns that he may wish to raise." He stressed that "the stability of Lebanon is the stability of the entire region and the whole world, especially that Lebanon has intersections and sensitive files, such as the issue of the Syrian displacement." Bassil also met the Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Alistair Burt, with whom he discussed bilateral relations. The pair stressed their desire to develop and expand relations in various fields. Bassil also praised Britain's support for the army, which is considered a pillar of security and stability in Lebanon. |