NNA - "It is true that the blood of Kamal Jumblatt and Rafic Hariri brought us together, but the greatest common denominator between us remains the pursuit of their dream of working with everyone for an eternal spring for Lebanon," wrote former Prime Minister Saad Hariri addressing former Progressive Socialist Party Chief Walid Jumblatt on Saturday.

He continued in a statement: “To our great friend Walid Jumblatt, to our comrades in the Progressive Socialist Party, the anniversary of the assassination of leader Kamal Jumblatt comes this year with the arrest of the prime suspect in his assassination after years of protection and rewards. Forty-eight years ago, the Hafez al-Assad regime assassinated Kamal Jumblatt and his army entered Lebanon over his blood. Twenty-eight years later, this army withdrew over the blood of martyred Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. We waited for justice on earth for Kamal Jumblatt, Rafic Hariri and their comrades, it did not happen, the justice of the Lord Almighty cannot be escaped by anyone."

He added: "Fate had its will that the blood of Kamal Jumblatt and Rafic Hariri, and those who came before and after them, would be shed in defense of a free, independent, sovereign Lebanon and in adherence to the state and its institutions. Fate also willed that we share the responsibility of continuing this path, to preserve the great legacy despite the killing and elimination attempts."

"Today we are facing a new phase that requires all of us to cooperate to make it a success, under the banner of building a normal state in which weapons are exclusively in the hands of the army and official security forces, the constitution is the arbiter of all, and everyone is united under the umbrella of the state alone, so that Lebanon comes first in word and deed," Hariri underlined.

==========R.Sh.