Hariri accuses Syria of campaign against Saudi Arabia
Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 8/27/2007

"I am working under the premise that the tribunal will be in The Hague," Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen had said earlier this month according to the Washington Post.

Head of the Future Bloc in Parliament MP Saad Hariri, son of Rafic Hariri condemned what he termed on the 17th of this month as "a campaign by Syria and its followers against Saudi Arabia, saying attacks on the Kingdom cannot conceal its continued support of Lebanon, and urged the March 8 political factions to uphold Lebanon's higher interests."

Hariri said a chorus of criticism against the Kingdom, initiated by Syria's Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa, amounted to conspiracy against Lebanese interests, and made clear that Saudi Arabia has always backed all the Lebanese, regardless of their religion. He stressed that the upcoming launch of the international tribunal to try the suspects in Prime Minister Rafic Hariri's assassination was behind the campaign by Syria, whose regime is "oppressive and murderous."

Hariri added, a minority of Lebanese, who follow Syria's orders should not be carried away in their campaign and should restrain their media outlets.

Head of the Future Bloc highlighted Saudi Arabia's long-standing support for Arab and Lebanese causes, especially after last year's war when it extended unequivocal backing for the Lebanese.

The Lebanese Daily Star reported that Lebanese officials and religious figures denounced "threats of attack addressed to Saudi Arabian ambassador to Lebanon."

The Daily Star also reported that "The detained former head of the General Security Major General Sayyed said Monday that remarks from politicians demonstrate that his release would be a 'red line.'" and that "Sayyed said that State Prosecutor Said Mirza informed UN chief investigator Serge Brammertz that 'the local political considerations prohibit him from releasing' him," and that "despite the committee's verdict of innocence regarding the accusations made against me, which lead to my arrest two years ago."

Previous Stories:
  UN asks Netherlands to host Hariri tribunal   (7/23/2007)
  UN police vehicle involved in explosion in Lebanon   (7/16/2007)
  Hariri: Dialogue is the only option for Lebanese   (6/25/2007)
  France sponsors meeting to relaunch national dialogue   (6/12/2007)
  Hariri: Opposition preventing tribunal to protect Syrian regime   (4/23/2007)
  Lahoud optimism on solving Lebanon's crisis   (3/6/2007)
  Mubarak, Saniora discuss Lebanon - Syria problem   (1/25/2006)
  Saudi prince criticizes Jumblatt   (1/23/2006)

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