Iloubnan - Hariri: I Don't Think Assad Had Anything to Do with My Father's Murder - November 2, 2010

I do not think that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had anything to do with my father's murder, Prime Minister Saad Hariri has told the British daily The Times.
Asked by The Times who he now believed killed his father, Hariri said: "I'm the Prime Minister. I do not have the luxury of speculating these days."

"I believe a relationship with a country is simply bound to the interests of two countries and not by personal issues," he added.

"The relationship (with Syria) is geographically and historically important, and I should act as a prime minister, not as Saad Hariri."

The premier said he does not believe that the blood of his slain father, ex-PM Rafik Hariri, "will or should cause strife in the country."

On Tuesday, Hariri held talks with his British counterpart David Cameron.

Talks were attended by Lebanese Ambassador to London Inaam Osseiran, Hariri's chief of staff Nader Hariri and advisors Mohammed Shatah and Hani Hammoud, and, from the British side, by British Ambassador to Lebanon Frances Guy, National Security Advisor of the British Government Sir Peter Ricketts, Cameron's foreign affairs advisor Tom Fletcher and his advisor Richard Freer.

Upon receiving Hariri, Cameron said: "We have a very strong relationship, but I think we can make it stronger still. We want to do everything we can to support the stability and security of Lebanon. We think that this is absolutely vital."

"We fully support the Special Tribunal (for Lebanon) process and we want to see that properly completed and we want to do everything we can to help you with the work you are doing in your country. You are very welcome here today," Cameron told Hariri.

After the meeting, Hariri spoke to the press.

"We discussed the issues of the region and the challenges that Lebanon is facing, and especially the Israeli threats and our problems with Israel. We also spoke about ways to improve the economic relations between the two countries," said Hariri.

"PM Cameron also underlined Britain's support for the Special Tribunal. We also asked for military assistance for the military and security forces in Lebanon, and there was a large receptivity from Britain regarding this issue," added Hariri.

Asked about Cameron's position regarding the STL, Hariri said: "You have heard his declaration regarding the tribunal. PM Cameron stressed that Britain fully supports the Tribunal, which was formed by a U.N. resolution, and that Britain will not retract on this issue."

Asked if Cameron had expressed any fears regarding the repercussions of the indictment of the STL, Hariri answered: "We did not tackle this issue."