BASSIL FROM MOSCOW: Russia Supports Dialogue in Lebanon, Rejects Foreign Interference Lavrov: Keen on Lebanon's Security

17 Nov 2017

Moscow - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gebran Bassil, during his meeting with his Russia counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, thanked Russia for its support to Lebanon and to all local dialogue-based solutions, without any foreign interference."

"We will put the data that we have with regard to the current crisis in your hands. That is why we chose Moscow to be the last country we visit within this tour," he told Lavrov.

"The issue is related to stability in Lebanon and the region. Lebanon was on the verge of signing contracts to extract gas from the Lebanese sea," Bassil said.

"There is an attempt to divert Lebanon from the positive path it is taking. There is an ongoing intimidation campaign to frighten Lebanon and eradicate the elements of power it has in the face of terrorism," he added.

Lavrov, in turn, said "We are keen that security in Lebanon prevails and that government institutions work effectively."

BASSIL Calls for PM Hariri's Return to Lebanon Without Restrictions

17 Nov 2017

Moscow - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gebran Bassil, on Friday hailed the unity of the Lebanese people and the considerable awareness demonstrated by the political class in tackling the current crisis after the sudden resignation of PM Saad Hariri.

"We want PM Hariri to return as soon as possible to Lebanon to restore the constitutional institutional path," Minister Bassil said during a press conference in the wake of his meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Russia.

Bassil underlined that Hariri still holds the status of the Prime Minister of Lebanon.

The Minister also deemed what happened as "not normal and constitutes a precedent at the level of international relations," saying this cannot be accepted. He also voiced rejection of any interference in our Lebanese internal affairs and imposing any dictations on the Lebanese people.

He underlined the priority for the return of the PM Saad Hariri to Lebanon without any restriction on his freedom to take the decision he deems appropriate in Beirut.

On the other hand, Bassil that tampering with the stability of Lebanon takes many forms and "what we have witnessed in recent days has been a political one, but it may be military, security, economic and financial."

The Minister also noted the presence of attempts to tamper with the stability of Lebanon and to prevent it from accomplishing economic advancement, noting the ongoing external attempts to undermine Lebanon's stability.

Bassil underlined the dire need for maintaining Lebanon's stability as an utmost priority through reinforcing and fortifying national unity.

The Foreign Minister stressed the need to proceed with the positive track that bolsters and strengthens the status of Lebanon, saying what happened entails the international safety and security.

Bassil indicated that he sensed during his European tour that countries are keen on the safety and stability of Lebanon, considering Lebanon's stability strategic to their security and stability.

The Minister underlined the need that Lebanon adopts a proactive precautionary policy in the face of risks of undermining its stability and security.

In reply to a question, Bassil considered Russia's role in the face of terrorism in the region as essential and decisive to end all the movements of extremism and the pattern of extremism, in addition to contributing to the achievement of regional and international balance.

In reply to another question, Bassil stressed that Lebanon constantly wants excellent relations with the Saudi kingdom and has not resorted to diplomatic escalation.

Bassil from Moscow deems Crisis over Hariri's Resignation attempt to spark regional pandemonium

17 Nov 2017

Moscow - Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister, Gebran Bassil, said on Friday that the current crisis over Prime Minister Saad Hariri's resignation was part of an orchestrated attempt to spark pandemonium in the region.

"The stability of Lebanon is a prelude to continued stability in Europe. Any disruption of security and stability in Lebanon will have direct repercussions on Europe," Bassil, who was in Russia, said in an interview with "Russia Today" TV.

Bassil also affirmed Lebanon's full capacity to defend itself, and reiterated Lebanon's utter refusal to have any side interfere in Saudi affairs.

"After Hariri's resignation, Lebanon can still be as it had been before. This matter will be decided by Hariri himself when he returns to his country in the near future," Bassil said.

"There are Lebanese personalities involved in what is happening, and this is what the future will show," Bassil added, dismissing rumors of a looming war in Lebanon.

Bassil went on to say that Lebanon had exerted a lot of efforts to establish diplomatic relations with Syria.

"We will not halt relations with Syria; we know the limits of this relationship and are keen on maintaining it for Lebanon's benefit," the Foreign Minister said, explaining that the Syrian refugee crisis could not be solved without direct contacts with the Syrian government.

Foregin Minister Gebran Bassil meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Thursday

 Bassil in Turkey: Hariri not free till in Lebanon

Nov. 16 2017

Ankara: Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil Thursday reiterated his stance that Prime Minister Saad Hariri would only be able to make decisions freely after he eventually returns to Lebanon.

Speaking from the Turkish capital of Ankara after meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Bassil said he hoped for a "swift solution to the crisis so that we do not have to escalate our diplomatic position to secure the return of our prime minister to his country," local media reported.

Bassil added that the issue of Hariri’s return to Lebanon is a matter of freedom and of the immunities given to politicians by international treaties.

When asked if he would meet with Hariri in Paris, Bassil said that it was more important that he meet with the prime minister and his family in Lebanon.

Bassil added that the Lebanese people were in agreement that Lebanon should distance itself from regional conflicts.

French officials Thursday announced that Hariri would be heading to France and would meet with French President Emanuel Macron Saturday, according to French presidential sources.

Bassil’s Ankara visit comes as part of a foreign tour in the wake of Hariri’s resignation from Saudi Arabia on Nov. 4.

Bassil from Germany: Hariri is a moderate Lebanese partner

16 Nov 2017

Berlin - Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Gebran Bassil, described PM Saad Hariri as a genuine and moderate Lebanese partner who promotes moderation in Lebanon and the entire world.

 "PM Saad Hariri should be supported rather than stood against," Minister Bassil said on Thursday during a joint press conference he held with his German counterpart, Sigmar Gabriel, in the wake of their talks in Berlin.

 Bassil underlined the paramount importance of supporting Hariri since, as he said, standing against him leads to the promotion of extremist ideas which both Europe and Lebanon suffer from and might lead to the tampering of stability in Lebanon.

 The Minister said that he carried with him "a message of peace and love" to the German state from the Lebanese people who constantly refuse to interfere in the affairs of others and refrain from aggressing or assaulting anyone.

 Bassil noted that Lebanon's policy is crystal clear in this regard, notably sticking to dissociating Lebanon from external problems and non-interfering in the affairs of others. "We also reject any interference in our internal affairs," he added.

Bassil also stressed that Lebanon should be free to determine its internal track, stressing that any external political aggression against Lebanon would have counter effects.

 The Minister also hailed the great unity and wisdom demonstrated by the Lebanese so far in dealing with the current crisis, saying "we are awaiting the return of our PM Saad Hariri to his country so that he carries out what he deems necessary."

 He underlined that freedom in Lebanon is safeguarded with all free to adopt their political decisions on their own, without dictations from outside.

 Gabriel, for his part, welcomed French President's invitation to PM Saad Hariri to visit France, and he stressed Germany's keenness on the unity and stability of Lebanon.

 "We stand beside Lebanon and all those who want to preserve the unity and sovereignty of the country," he said, adding that stability falls in the interest of the entire region.