    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [January 27, 2006]
    [Page 141]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Parliament Member Saad Hariri of Lebanon
    January 27, 2006

        It's my honor to welcome a Member of the Lebanese Parliament, Saad
    Hariri, here to the Oval Office. We've just had a very interesting and
    important discussion about our mutual desire for Lebanon to be free--
    free of foreign influence, free of Syrian intimidation, free to chart
    its own course.
        The American people mourn the loss of life. I know it's been hard on
    you and your mom, who we had the honor of
    meeting in Paris, and your family to think about your dad, a man who
    cared about Lebanon a lot. It's very important for the investigation
    into your dad's death to go forward. We expect there to be a full and
    firm investigation, and the people who are responsible for your dad's
    death need to be held to account.
        I want to thank you for your passion for the people of Lebanon. I
    was telling him I was raised in west Texas, and I can remember Lebanese-
    American Texans being such great citizens of our State and our country.
    Many people of Lebanese extraction want Lebanon to flourish and thrive,
    and so do I. It will be very important for the region for Lebanon's
    democracy to be able to reach its full potential. And there's no doubt
    in my mind, with the focused effort of the free world reminding Syria to
    uphold to U.N. Resolution 1559, we will be able to achieve the
    objective.
        So I talked about a donors conference--he's going to work the world
    community to try to help organize a conference to help the Lebanese
    people get going. And we appreciate very much your suggestions and your
    advice.
        In the meantime, welcome to the Oval Office. Thank you for your
    courage. I appreciate it very much. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 12 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Nazek Hariri, widow of former
    Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri of Lebanon, who was assassinated on February
    14, 2005, in Beirut.