Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gebran Bassil, on Friday hailed the unity of the Lebanese people and the considerable awareness demonstrated by the political class in tackling the current crisis after the sudden resignation of PM Saad Hariri.

"We want PM Hariri to return as soon as possible to Lebanon to restore the constitutional institutional path," Minister Bassil said during a press conference in the wake of his meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Russia.

Bassil underlined that Hariri still holds the status of the Prime Minister of Lebanon.

The Minister also deemed what happened as "not normal and constitutes a precedent at the level of international relations," saying this cannot be accepted. He also voiced rejection of any interference in our Lebanese internal affairs and imposing any dictations on the Lebanese people.

He underlined the priority for the return of the PM Saad Hariri to Lebanon without any restriction on his freedom to take the decision he deems appropriate in Beirut.

On the other hand, Bassil that tampering with the stability of Lebanon takes many forms and "what we have witnessed in recent days has been a political one, but it may be military, security, economic and financial."

The Minister also noted the presence of attempts to tamper with the stability of Lebanon and to prevent it from accomplishing economic advancement, noting the ongoing external attempts to undermine Lebanon's stability.

Bassil underlined the dire need for maintaining Lebanon's stability as an utmost priority through reinforcing and fortifying national unity.

The Foreign Minister stressed the need to proceed with the positive track that bolsters and strengthens the status of Lebanon, saying what happened entails the international safety and security.

Bassil indicated that he sensed during his European tour that countries are keen on the safety and stability of Lebanon, considering Lebanon's stability strategic to their security and stability.

The Minister underlined the need that Lebanon adopts a proactive precautionary policy in the face of risks of undermining its stability and security.

In reply to a question, Bassil considered Russia's role in the face of terrorism in the region as essential and decisive to end all the movements of extremism and the pattern of extremism, in addition to contributing to the achievement of regional and international balance.

In reply to another question, Bassil stressed that Lebanon constantly wants excellent relations with the Saudi kingdom and has not resorted to diplomatic escalation

Source: NNA