Hariri: Lebanon in Charge of Palestinians Security, Those Who Want to Break the Law Will Be Held Responsible
8 March 2010
(Naharnet)PM Saad Hariri on Saturday stressed that Lebanon is the side in charge of Palestinian refugee camps security, revealing his intent to call in the leaders of Palestinian organizations operating military bases outside camps to inform them of that "clear and straightforward stance."
"Lebanon is responsible for the security of Palestinians and we, as Lebanese, have also a responsibility to secure the refugees a decent life," Hariri said in an interview with the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA before heading to Kuwait on a 2-day official visit.
Hariri reiterated that the Lebanese leaders had taken in 2006 a resolution on the issue of organizing Palestinian arms inside the camps and disarming organizations operating outside the camps.As Hariri described the Palestinian refugees as "brothers," he noted that "those who want to break the law will be held responsible," reminding of the decision taken by Lebanon to battle the militant Fatah al-Islam group at the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp near Tripoli in the summer of 2007.
Answering a question on the possibility of security deterioration inside refugee camps, Hariri ruled out the subject, clarifying that "the Nahr al-Bared camp was the residence of more than 30,000 refugees, among them only 500 Fatah al-Islam militants."
On the other hand, Hariri stressed that Arab nations hold onto the peace initiative they adopted in the 2002 Beirut summit.The premier expressed hope to press forward with economic progress in Lebanon to achieve prosperity for the Lebanese.
While he ruled out a new Israeli war on Lebanon, Hariri said that "Israelis speak the language of intimidation and war as we look forward to peace according to the Arab initiative."Hariri starts Saturday a 2-day official visit to Kuwait for talks with its top officials on "the developments in the region and the means of fortifying bilateral relations," according to a statement released by his press office.
The visit comes as part of a regional and international tour that has so far included Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, France and Turkey.Hariri, who will be accompanied by an official delegation, will hold talks with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah.
