Lebanese president, speaker praise Hariri's U.S. performance
Lebanon, Politics, 6/20/1998

Lebanese President Elias Hrawi and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's visit to the U.S. was very useful, especially on the topic of the international U.N. force working in south Lebanon, which Israel was trying to obstruct through pressure on Lebanon.

They said the visit will give its results for the international resolution No 425 which Israel refuses to implement.

Berri said that the Israeli proposal for a conditional withdrawal from south Lebanon aims at deceiving international public opinion and separating the Lebanese and the Syrian peace process tracks, consequently distorting the peace process, a point that Hariri insisted on in the U.S.

Berri emphasized Lebanon is committed to implementing resolution 425 and refusing any negotiations over it.

Hariri, speaking at a press conference at United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday said that Israel's demands for conditions before withdrawal are impossible, "They want to hold us responsible for anything which might happen inside Israel. We cannot accept that."

Hariri also said that given Israel's military strength it is Lebanon who should be asking for security guarantees, "We are more than afraid; we are scared to death of Israel."

Asked about Palestinian refugees inside Lebanon, Hariri said that Lebanon is unable to absorb them and that their fate is Israel's responsibility.

Previous Stories:
  Prime Minister Hariri meets Clinton   (6/17/1998)
  Lebanese Premier to confer with US officials   (6/15/1998)
  Boueiz says Israel is responsible for current status   (6/10/1998)

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