​​​​​​​Lebanese PM Voices Country’s Disapproval of “Deal of Century”

By Staff, Agencies

The Lebanese government and parliament both voiced opposition of the US so-called “Deal of the Century”, according to a statement by Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri on Wednesday.

Hariri’s comments came in parallel with the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to revive the so-called ‘peace process’ being discussed at an economic workshop in the Bahraini capital. The “deal” calls for a $50 billion investment fund to boost the Palestinian and neighboring Arab state economies.

The $6 billion set aside for Lebanon has been widely seen in the country as an incentive to accept the permanent settlement of Palestinians who have lived among the Lebanese as refugees since the creation of the Zionist entity in 1948.

All the main Lebanese parties oppose the permanent settlement of Palestinians who they believe have the right to return to their homeland.

“The government with parliament are against this deal and our constitution bans naturalization,” Hariri said.

Prior to Hariri’s stance, Lebanese Parliament speaker Nabih Berri came out strongly against the US initiative on Sunday, saying anyone who thought “waving billions of dollars” could get Lebanon to barter “over its principles” was mistaken.

Lebanon was invited to the Bahrain conference but refused to attend.