Hariri slams Iran for meddling

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Lebanon’s outgoing prime minister slammed on Thursday what he called Iran’s “flagrant intervention” in Lebanese and Arab affairs, saying his country will not be an Iranian protectorate.

Saad Hariri accused Iran of meddling in Lebanon, Bahrain and Kuwait and added this is “not acceptable anymore.”

Hariri, a Sunni Muslim, spoke at the opening of an economic forum in Beirut, delivering his harshest criticism yet of Shiite powerhouse Iran. Iran backs Hariri’s rival, the Shiite militant group Hezbollah.

Hariri’s statements drew sharp condemnation from Hezbollah, which said Hariri’s provocative comments were a “true translation” of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ recent statements on Iran.

Gates, during a visit to Riyadh Wednesday, said Tehran was trying to exploit instability in Bahrain, the tiny island nation off the Saudi coast that hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet.

“We also have evidence that they (the Iranians) are talking about what they can do to create problems elsewhere,” the Pentagon chief added. Other U.S. officials have said Iran is using money and political pressure in Bahrain and elsewhere to promote Shiite unrest, but the extent of this effort is unclear.

Outgoing PM Saad Hariri attended the 6th session of Saudi-Lebanese Forum which was held on April 7 and 8, 2011 in Beirut. The Forum is organized by The Council of Saudi Chambers, The Federation of the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon, and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group.

The unrest in Bahrain, which erupted in February, has played out against the region’s deep rivalries between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Protesters from Bahrain’s Shiite majority have demanded that the kingdom’s Sunni minority rulers grant them equal rights and a political voice.

Saudi Arabia, a largely Sunni nation, has rushed to the aid of Bahrain by sending in troops, while other Gulf countries have accused predominantly Shiite Iran of meddling in Bahrain’s affairs by trying to stir Shiite unrest there.

Hezbollah said Hariri’s positions were in harmony with the aims of the U.S. — to sow divisions and strife between the countries and people of the region.

Hezbollah and its allies toppled Hariri’s Western-backed government in January. They then mustered enough support in parliament to name their own candidate as prime minister-designate.

Hariri, who acts as a caretaker until a new government is formed, has been vocal in his criticism of Hezbollah’s arsenal, which he says are a threat to the country’s security.

The group maintains its own arsenal, which it says is necessary to ward off threats from Israel. It is the most powerful military force in Lebanon.

AP

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Comments

20 responses to “Hariri slams Iran for meddling”

  1. every notice how iran claims innocence time after time after time!! they are never guilty of anything! well its very easy to tell when iran is lying,,,their mouth will be moving!!!

  2. every notice how iran claims innocence time after time after time!! they are never guilty of anything! well its very easy to tell when iran is lying,,,their mouth will be moving!!!

  3. libnan1 Avatar

    It looks like Hariri Jr. put on weight, I guess he’s enjoying life…:)

    1. Mosetsfire Avatar
      Mosetsfire

      I noticed that too, Smallah Smallah.

      1. libnan1 Avatar

        I hope things are OK because people intend to eat more and gain weight when they are depressed.

        1. nagy_michael2000 Avatar
          nagy_michael2000

          Does that apply than to Aoun and Nassrallah since they like baboons.

    2. Mosetsfire Avatar
      Mosetsfire

      I noticed that too, Smallah Smallah.

      1. libnan1 Avatar

        I hope things are OK because people intend to eat more and gain weight when they are depressed.

        1. nagy_michael2000 Avatar
          nagy_michael2000

          Does that apply than to Aoun and Nassrallah since they like baboons.

    3. lebster Avatar

      Depression does that too

    4. lebster Avatar

      Depression does that too

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    It looks like Hariri Jr. put on weight, I guess he’s enjoying life…:)

    1. I noticed that too, Smallah Smallah.

      1.  Avatar
        Anonymous

        I hope things are OK because people intend to eat more and gain weight when they are depressed.

        1.  Avatar
          Anonymous

          Does that apply than to Aoun and Nassrallah since they like baboons.

    2.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Depression does that too

  5. antar2011 Avatar
    antar2011

    the saturday speech by nasrullah would be interesting.

    the shmuck cannot let anything pass on iran without commenting on it.

    he should go and live in iran, he is a shame on lebanon.

  6. antar2011 Avatar
    antar2011

    the saturday speech by nasrullah would be interesting.

    the shmuck cannot let anything pass on iran without commenting on it.

    he should go and live in iran, he is a shame on lebanon.

  7.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    the saturday speech by nasrullah would be interesting.

    the shmuck cannot let anything pass on iran without commenting on it.

    he should go and live in iran, he is a shame on lebanon.

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