Hariri further asserted that his party's participation in a cabinet that includes Hezbollah ministers serves the country's stability since the international community “miserably failed” to address issues in neighboring Syria.

“We are trying to run the country together with everyone,” he claimed, “because we don't want to exclude anyone as Lebanon is going through a difficult period, especially after the international community miserably failed in addressing the Syrian issue.”

Hariri further denied making concessions over sharing power with his party’s major rival Hezbollah in a government.

Asked why he was willing to work with a group that he accuses of having a role in his father’s assassination, Hariri boasted that he was “committed” to the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”

Hezbollah, meanwhile, has categorically denies any involvement in Hariri’s killing and has dismissed the STL trial in Europe as an “American-Israeli project” aimed at inciting sectarian strife in Lebanon.

The Saudi-sponsored Lebanese politician further explained in an interview that Hezbollah is a political party that enjoys a “big coalition” of diverse political parties, including that of Michel Aoun’s Christian Free Patriotic Movement.

Hariri, who has been living outside Lebanon for over two years for ‘security reasons,’ also refused to offer a date for his return to Beirut.

“Eventually I will return,” said the former prime minister.

Asked whether he was optimistic regarding the cabinet formation process, Hariri answered: “I'm very optimistic … I don't know when it will be formed but I'm optimistic.”

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