Prime Minister Saad Hariri said on Thursday that Lebanon’s current political crisis was "a wake up call" for Lebanese with different loyalties to put their country ahead of regional issues and stressed that the dissociation policy needed action.
After returning to Lebanon this week, Hariri on Wednesday shelved his decision to resign at the request of President Michel Aoun.
"The period that passed was perhaps like a wake up call for all of us to look for Lebanon's interests rather than looking at problems around us," Hariri told the Annual Arab Banking Conference held at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut on Thursday.
"The problems around us are important, but Lebanon is more important."
Hariri also reaffirmed the need for sticking by the policy of distancing Lebanon from regional conflicts - "not just with words but with action as well."
"I want to stress that ... our main concern is stability, and this is what we'll be working on," he said.
Hariri said on Wednesday the decision to postpone his resignation would lead to "a responsible dialogue ... that deals with divisive issues and their repercussions on Lebanon's relations with Arab brothers."
Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh told the same conference on Thursday that Lebanon's economy is on track for a 2.5 percent growth this year.
In his statement, Salameh said that Lebanese markets would continue to be stable and calm, reflecting “positive growth despite difficult conditions in the region.”
