Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri yesterday blasted the West for its approach to the Palestinian problem and affirmed that comprehensive peace in the Middle East hinges on Israeli withdrawal from Syrian and Lebanese territories. Addressing the Arab Strategy Forum, Hariri ridiculed what he described as efforts by Western powers to link statehood for Palestinians with "good behavior." "A Palestinian state should not be a prize for good behavior," Hariri told the conference. "A state is not a piece of chocolate or the promise to take a child to picnic if he behaves well. Arabs are ready for a just peace. I hear that the US and Europe are convinced of a Palestinian state. But Palestinians should have a country today and not tomorrow."
| If they adhered to the agreements they made, and they weren't in the habit of exploding without warning, they'd have one by now... |
Even if the Palestinian problem was addressed, he said, Israel would have to withdraw its army from Lebanese and Syrian territories in order to achieve comprehensive and just peace in the region. Speaking on the theme of "Arab World in 2020," Hariri said that he is provisionally optimistic. The world has to exert efforts and end the Arab-Israeli conflict. "We have to achieve just peace. We have to end Israeli occupation. This is a focal point that will define our future," said Hariri. |