Harb 'Ready to Forgive' His Attempted Assassin
Telecommunications Minister Boutros Harb revealed on Wednesday that he is ready to forgive those who tried to kill him in July 2012.
"It is in my nature to forgive people and those who harmed me,” Harb said in an interview on NBN television.
"Forgiveness is one of the main values I believe in, and I am in no position to condemn people,” he explained.
He continued: “As Christians, we forgive those who have harmed us and I was moved by Pope John Paul II's visit to the person who tried to shoot him and I will not hesitate to do the same thing.”
The minister noted that he had not filed any complaint against his attempted assassin.
"To the person who tried to kill me I tell him you are forgiven,” he said.
Harb escaped the assassination bid in July 2012 after residents of a building in which his office is located in the Beirut district of Badaro discovered individuals trying to booby-trap the elevator.
An arrest warrant in absentia was issued in 2013 against Mahmoud Hayek, a Hizbullah member accused in the assassination attempt against Harb.
State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr had demanded life in prison with hard labor for Hayek, who is still on the run.
The Telecom Minister also discussed the presidential race in the interview, reiterating that there is an agreement on Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea as March 14's nominee for office.
"Geagea is running for office to win in the race. He has the right to nominate himself and it is our duty as allies to stand by his side,” he added.
He also stressed that the coalition is concerned with having the principles it cherishes in office, not only with electing a certain person.
"(Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel) Aoun also has the right to be a candidate,” he remarked.
"But presenting himself as a consensual candidate does not correspond with his history,” he pointed out.
S.D.B.
Y.R.
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