Our aim is to maintain the stability of Lebanon which, in turn, is required for the stability of the region and Europe," Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil told a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart.

"Unfortunately, what we face recently is a threat to the positive course that Lebanon was taking," he said. "We do hope for good relations with our neighbors and with all the Arab countries. We are in Italy to explain the situation to our European partners and ask for their support," he said.

"It is not normal for our Prime Minister to be in an ambiguous situation, despite him declaring his intention to return. There is no reason for him not to return to Lebanon," Bassil said in the framework of his Europe tour. "We need to be able to talk freely with Hariri and discuss his demands and work with him on resolving them."

"Our goal is to resolve the crisis bilaterally, so as to return to normalcy. Europe is clearly in compliance with international charters that are at risk of violation; a fact that could create precedents in this area," Bassil added.

"I have not received a call from Prime Minister Hariri, neither did I speak to him since he went to Saudi Arabia. (...) We will fulfill all the necessary measures in order to solve the problem through brotherhood and the good relations with Saudi Arabia. This is the most effective way for the return of Prime Minister Hariri to Beirut," he concluded

Source: NNA