Hariri says he will return to Lebanon for parliamentary polls, stresses he will not forget or forgive despite conciliatory tone

Head of al-Mustaqbal Movement said he will be returning to Lebanon for the elections and "so that one day I can be prime minister."

In an interview with Europe 1 radio, Hariri attributed his recent conciliatory stance towards Hezbollah to his keenness on serving Lebanon's interest, which "is more important than mine," voicing readiness to share power with his rivals.

“I will not forget and I will not forgive, but Lebanon is more important than me, hence the importance of forming the cabinet and electing a new president,” he said.

“We know that Hezbollah is, in theory, responsible for these crimes… [but] the concept of a trial is that the suspect is innocent until proven guilty.”

Hariri noted reiterated his certainty that Syria's Assad was behind the assassination his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

"Everyone knows who gave the order. It was Bachar al-Assad," he said. "One day we will go and get them (those responsible). They will pay," referring to the perpetrators.

Hariri also accused Assad of masterminding the assassination of his adviser, Mohamad Chatah, in December.

As for the much-anticipated Syria peace talks, that are due to take place on Wednesday in Switzerland, Hariri made it clear that Assad's departure was a key priority.

"Assad must leave power. We cannot have a president like Assad at the head of Syria," he said. "It's the job of Russia and Iran to tell Assad to go because Syrians don't want him."