Lebanon’s Hariri Pledges to Protect Taif Accord

PM Saad Hariri speaks at a ceremony marking the 14th anniversary of the assassination of his father, Rafik Hariri on Thursday. Dalati and Nohra
PM Saad Hariri speaks at a ceremony marking the 14th anniversary of the assassination of his father, Rafik Hariri on Thursday. Dalati and Nohra
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Lebanon’s Hariri Pledges to Protect Taif Accord

PM Saad Hariri speaks at a ceremony marking the 14th anniversary of the assassination of his father, Rafik Hariri on Thursday. Dalati and Nohra
PM Saad Hariri speaks at a ceremony marking the 14th anniversary of the assassination of his father, Rafik Hariri on Thursday. Dalati and Nohra

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri pledged on Thursday to protect the Taif accord and refused to remain silent to any attempt to paralyze the government.

He pledged “not to abandon Taif, or accept the breach of Taif.”

“We are the guardians of the Taif agreement, today and tomorrow!,” the PM said in a speech delivered at a ceremony organized by his Mustaqbal movement at the Sea Side Arena Center for the 14th commemoration of the assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Hariri said that 2019 would be the year of justice that he has been waiting for to know the truth about his father’s murder.

In the ceremony, attended by representatives from all Lebanese parties, except for Hezbollah, the PM said Beirut is not a state affiliated with any axis and is not a theater for the arms race in the region.

He said Lebanon should deal with challenges to give the country a real rescue opportunity.

“President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and I decided to turn the Council of Ministers and Parliament into a work cell,” Hariri told the crowds.

“It is not reasonable, after all the hard work exerted at the CEDRE Conference (held in Paris last April) and with the international community, to return to the politics of no solutions or that cabinet returns to political unkindness,” the PM said.

On the issue of Syrian refugees, Hariri said Lebanon’s interest lies in their return to their country in a dignified and safe manner.

“The best thing we can do for the displaced is to work for their return to their country, voluntarily, and I emphasize on the world voluntary,” he said, while calling on the international community to take additional practical steps that end the tragedy of the displacement.



UK FM Calls Israeli Attacks on Gaza Hospital 'Deplorable'

Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo
Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo
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UK FM Calls Israeli Attacks on Gaza Hospital 'Deplorable'

Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo
Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, on October 31, 2024. © AFP file photo

British foreign minister David Lammy condemned Israel's attacks on medical facilities in Gaza on Sunday after two Israeli missiles hit a building inside a Gaza hospital.

"Israel's attacks on medical facilities have comprehensively degraded access to healthcare in Gaza," Lammy said in a short post on social media, Reuters reported.

"Al-Ahli Hospital has been attacked repeatedly since the conflict began. These deplorable attacks must end. Diplomacy, not more bloodshed, is how we will achieve a lasting peace."