BEIRUT- Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri blasted Iran during a visit to Turkey Friday, saying its “negative interference” in the affairs of regional states is preventing the establishment of good ties with Tehran. He also staunchly rejected reported proposals for the election of a Lebanese president for two years, saying such a move needs an amendment of the Constitution.
Hariri spoke to reporters after holding talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Yildiz Palace in Istanbul.
The meeting, which lasted an hour and a half, focused on the situation in Lebanon, including the nearly 2-year-old presidential vacuum, the repercussions of the Syrian crisis and latest developments in the region, according to a statement released by Hariri’s media office.
Hariri said Turkey can play “a big role” in stabilizing the volatile region, shaken by the 5-year-old civil war in Syria, turmoil in Iraq and Libya, and a raging war in Yemen. “I had the privilege of meeting with President Erdogan. We discussed the problems in the region, especially what is happening in Syria. We believe that Turkey can play a big role in stabilizing the region,” Hariri said after meeting Erdogan.
“I also explained to the president the impact of the presidential vacancy on the situation in Lebanon, particularly the economic and political life. We also talked about the Iranian role in the region, its negative interference in the countries of the region is preventing good relations. We will continue the discussion with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.”
Hariri said that his visits to Turkey now and Russia in March were not aimed at marketing a presidential candidate, but instead to explain the dangers of the vacuum, which next month enters its third year with no end in sight as the rival parties remain split on who should be Lebanon’s next president.
“What I want is for Lebanon to remain on the map and for everyone to know that the country is suffering on several fronts, one of which is the number of Syrian refugees,” he said.
“I discussed this with President Erdogan and he explained to me that Turkey is suffering from the same problem. So we agreed to cooperate to urge the international community to help more in this regard.”
Asked if he did campaign for his presidential candidate, MP Sleiman Frangieh, during his visit to Russia and now in Turkey, Hariri said: “I did not campaign for any person, but the meeting focused on explaining what is happening in Lebanon. Everyone knows that the socio-economic situation has reached serious stages. This is the reality we are explaining to these countries, and we are trying to show that Lebanon needs help on the issue of refugees.”
Hariri, accompanied by former minister Bassem Sabei and adviser Ghattas Khoury, arrived in Istanbul overnight. He is scheduled to meet with other Turkish officials.
 

Source: The Daily Star, 30 APRIL 2016