Hariri Travels to New York to Meet Abdullah, Says Saudi-Syrian Deal Finalized but Requires Steps from Others
The Saudi-Syrian agreement on consolidating stability in Lebanon was finalized a long time ago, before Saudi King Abdullah traveled to New York for treatment, Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said.
However, in an interview with pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat published Friday, Hariri said "steps and answers are required from others, not from us, and anything else is an attempt to sabotage the Saudi-Syrian efforts."
"Any commitment on my part will not be put into practice before the other camp implements what it has pledged, this is the essential rule" in the Saudi-Syrian talks, Hariri told the newspaper.
He stressed that the Syrian-Saudi track will not backpedal "in the face of the major campaign of distortion" it is being subjected to, noting that talk about the formation of a new cabinet as part of a so-called "settlement" was "totally out of the question" in the ongoing Saudi-Syrian efforts.
Hariri returned to Lebanon on Thursday, wrapping up a private visit to Saudi Arabia. On Friday, he held talks with President Michel Suleiman at Baabda palace before traveling to New York to meet with Abdullah for the second time since the Saudi King's back surgery there.
An official told Agence France Presse that the premier will also hold talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Upon his return to Beirut on Thursday, Hariri discussed the latest developments with Suleiman and House Speaker Nabih Berri in separate phone calls.
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