Remarks After Meeting With Lebanese Parliament Member Saad Hariri

SECRETARY RICE: (In progress) I would like to thank Sheikh Saad for hosting me here with members of the March 14 coalition. We remember well former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the fact that he was brutally assassinated, but in giving his blood really helped to launch Lebanon on a more democratic and independent path. And we’ve talked today about the support of the United States for the continuation of a path of greater democracy, greater freedom, about the United States’ commitment to a Lebanon that is truly sovereign and independent and where foreign interference and where foreign intimidation should never be permitted. So thank you very much (inaudible).

MR. HARIRI: Thank you.