REPORT: Bassil from Germany: Hariri is an effective Lebanese partner that must be supported

German Foreign Affairs Minister welcomed on Thursday the invitation extended by French president Emmanuel Macron to Prime Minister Saad Hariri to visit Paris.

He considered such an invitation as a clear indication of his freedom of movements.

“No one can prevent Hariri from accepting the invitation,” he added.

The minister’s comments were made following his meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil in Germany.

During the meeting, the minister also asserted that Germany is keen on preserving Lebanon’s unity and stability and that it stands beside Lebanon.

For his part, Bassil said that “Hariri is an effective Lebanese partner who is pushing for moderation in Lebanon and the world and must thus be supported and not fought.”

“Hariri must return to his country with full freedom to take the decision that he wishes,” Bassil added.

He concluded by saying that Lebanon “has offered much for the International community by bearing the burden of the crisis in Syria and must be rewarded and let himself determine its internal course.”

Saad Hariri traveled to Riyadh on November 3 before suddenly resigning a day later, and he has remained in the Saudi capital since then.

Hariri cited Hezbollah's polices and assassination plots as reasons behind his resignation.

Lebanese officials and officials believe however that he was forced to quit and that he is being held hostage in KSA.

Hariri and Saudi Arabia have both denied he is being held in Riyadh or was forced to resign.