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Lebanon PM says Muslims are first target of terrorism

Xinhua, February 21, 2017 Adjust font size:

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Monday that "the moderates who constitute the overwhelming majority of Muslims in the World are the first target of terrorism because they are in fact the first bulwark against extremism."

According to a statement by the PM's media office, Hariri was speaking during talks with French presidential candidate and leader of the right-wing "National Front" Marine Le Pen and her delegation.

Hariri said that "Muslims are the first victims of the terrorism that claim," adding that "the worst mistake would be the amalgam between Islam and Muslims on one hand and terrorism on the other hand."

He added that Lebanon, whose population does not exceed 4 millions, now hosts around 2 million refugees, which subjects its economy and infrastructure to an unparalleled pressure.

The Lebanese government is currently preparing an integrated plan to face this situation and calls on the international community to assume its responsibilities in this crisis.

Le Pen arrived in Beirut Sunday evening and kicked off her meeting Monday with President Michel Aoun at Baabda Presidential palace.

She then visited the House of Parliament where she met several members of the parliament. Endit