July 24, 2010 - Naharnet - Hariri Warns: No Compromise on International Tribunal

Prime Minister Saad Hariri stressed Saturday that there are attempts to create uneasiness among the people, urging the need for calm and maintaining national policies.
He said during the opening of the Mustaqbal movement founding conference that the case of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has become a national, Arab, and international cause, adding that achieving justice "is not open to compromise and is an integral part of Lebanese consensus, ministerial statements, and Arab summit decisions."

He continued that there are some sides that are fearing or hoping that the assassination will be the spark that causes a Lebanese war, saying: "We have no room for these fears and we do not base our positions on media leaks."

"Hariri's soul will not be a reason to restart strife on Lebanese land, so enough intimidation," the prime minister added.

"Israel won't be able to overcome Lebanon as long as the Lebanese know how to maintain their national unity. The state is charged with being up to the challenge of an Israeli assault and Lebanese society is responsible for defending the nation," said Hariri.

In addition, he stated: "They say that this conference places the founding stone of a Sunni party in Lebanon but I, on behalf of the Mustaqbal supporters, announce that our movement does not have a sectarian or confessional identity."