BEIRUT, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri expressed Wednesday his regret over Libya's decision not to attend the Arab Economic and Social Summit which will take place Sunday in Lebanon, the National News Agency reported.
"This is an occasion to express my deep regret for the absence of the Libyan delegation from this meeting and to emphasize that the relationship between brothers must remain above any offenses," Hariri said.
Hariri's remarks came in a speech during his patronage of the opening of the Arab Private Sector Forum at the headquarters of the Union of Arab Chambers - Adnan Kassar Edifice for Arab Economy.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nabih Berri replied to Hariri's remarks by saying the "major harm was done to Lebanon 40 years ago," in reference to the disappearance of Shiite cleric Imam Moussa al-Sadr which is blamed on Libya.
On Monday, Libya confirmed that it will not participate in the summit due to Lebanese authorities in Beirut's airport preventing Libyan businessmen from entering and to protest offending of the Libyan flag.
Lebanon's Amal Movement announced few days ago that the Libyan delegation will be forbidden from entering Lebanon to attend the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit.
Moreover, Amal supporters Sunday took down Libyan flags from outside Beirut's Biel Center, where the summit is expected to be held, and replaced them with their own to protest against Libya's participation in the summit.
Al-Sadr disappeared alongside Sheikh Muhammad Yaacoub and the journalist Abbas Badreddine during an official visit to Libya in August 1978.
