Prime Minister Saad Hariri received today at the "Center House" the British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hugo Shorter, in the presence of the Senior Defense Advisor for the Middle East, Lieutenant-General John Lorimer. Discussions focused on the local and regional developments and the bilateral relations.

Hariri also met with the German Ambassador to Lebanon, Martin Huth. He earlier received MP Nayla Tueni.

Separately, he received the head of the National Dialogue Party, Fouad Makhzoumi, who said after the meeting: "I met with Premier Hariri today to congratulate him on his safe return and the fact that he suspended his resignation. This will pave the way for dialogue under the leadership of President Michel Aoun and we in Lebanon always reach positive results from dialogue."

He added: "We discussed what to expect from the coming period, and we insist that he withdraws his resignation. It is true that suspending it is important for dialogue, but this is a delicate period, that requires Prime Minister Hariri to lead it. The parliamentary elections will take place after six months and I think that all files are now in his hands and he knows everything. What is comforting is that the relation between Lebanon and the Arab world has become a relation between states. At the same time, we believe that this dialogue should lead to the development and improvement of our relations with the Arab brothers, particularly the kingdom of Saudi Arabia because Lebanon's interests require this. We want also to confirm that Lebanon is an Arab country and will not abandon this position. Also, the Lebanese residing in the Gulf, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, must be an investment for us to improve the relations between the two countries."

He concluded: "We are confident that dialogue would lead to this result which enables Lebanon to move forward because this country deserves all the best and all of us should support it."

Hariri also received the General Director of State Security, Major General Tony Saliba, and his deputy, Brigadier General Samir Sanan, and discussed with them the security situation in the country

Source: NNA