NNA - Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Tuesday delivered the following statement:



"The measures taken by the Lebanese army in Tripoli constitute a good start, that we hope will be in the right direction, and will put a final end to the repeated attempts to manipulate the security of the city and its stability. We hope it will restore the dignity of the State in its role as protector of its citizens, and stop the armed chaos fueled, funded and sponsored by well known groups that constitute the security and military arm of the Syrian regime in Lebanon.



We look forward, with all the citizens of Tripoli, to see these actions being completed, and to a firm reaction against any party or group working to breach the security plan and to block the deployment implemented by the army and the security forces in the city and in the areas that witnessed tensions.



We should point out in this occasion, that those who like to outbid in expressing their adherence to the army and the role of the State, and who were upset when we said that the State, the army and security services should not be false witnesses of what is happening in Tripoli, will never be more adherent to the State and its role and to the army and its national role, than the Future Movement, its leadership and supporters, who never sought, at any stage, to be a State above the State or a partisan army above the national army.



We are sure that Tripoli, when under the control of the army and the official security forces, would be in good hands. And the State with all its political posts shouldn't hesitate to provide basis that put the security of Tripoli under the umbrella of the State and the law, and end anomalies that hinder this task.



Tripoli, after seventeen rounds of fighting and armed chaos, has paid a high price, in the lives of its sons, and the destruction of neighborhoods, houses and stores that impaired its economic and public life and the interests of its citizens. But Tripoli, after all the bitter experiences, will not accept to be subject to a new type of "security painkillers" and then to face again a new conspiracy round against its security and stability. And here lies the role required from the State and its military forces, and every faction concerned with the safety of Tripoli and its people.



As we follow up the security measures and hope they will reach the desired goals this time, we are confident that the citizens of Tripoli will fully cooperate with the army and the forces in charge of the implementation of the plan, and will not provide cover to any person or party working on breaking the law. And Tripoli will prove to those who like to outbid, that it is at the heart of the State, and that the army will be at its heart".



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