Latest news with #RafikHariri
Asharq Al-Awsat
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
A Country Between Two Funerals
It is not fair to compare two absences, just as two presences cannot be compared. Our inclination to draw comparisons seems intuitive, and indeed it is, as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's postponed funeral coincides with the twentieth anniversary of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination. However, it overlooks the fact that no matter how measured it appears, this comparison assumes symmetry where none exists. It also erases the nuances that distinguish each of the two experiences that may seem similar on the surface, but which have almost nothing in common. This flaw is exacerbated when comparison quickly turns into a framework for reductive analysis rather than a means for shedding light on phenomena, turning this analysis into nothing more than projection. However, fate can be cruel, and coincidences have their own way of shaping meaning. They often escape direct analysis, as in the case of these two funerals being held in the same month. This coincidence raises an inevitable question. How did Hariri's absence become an extension of his political and symbolic presence over the past two decades, while Nasrallah, who had spent his life inflating his presence in the daily lives of the Lebanese, has all but disappeared from the public discourse about Lebanon and his party's future? The assassination of Rafik Hariri was not merely a point that changed the trajectory of Lebanese politics; it was a moment that opened his project to possibilities that granted him a presence in his absence. He was not only present as a memory recalled each year but through an approach that imposes itself at every juncture, shaping the choices the country grapples with. The state-building project he represented- despite all attempts to thwart or distort it- remained a reference point in every national discussion of the economy, power, and the future, making his name the most enduring fixture of Lebanon's political lexicon. In contrast, the assassination of Nasrallah seemed to announce the historical moment defined by his function, his project, his wars, and his choices had come to an end: whether in terms of his party's momentary setbacks and desperate attempts at repositioning, or in the more profound sense, Hezbollah's transformation from an ascending force into a relic of an increasingly small past. When Nasrallah's experience is revisited in discussions of major conflicts, it will not be seen as a compelling model but as an example of an era- one that ought not to be repeated- reaching its conclusion. It is no coincidence that the Syrian regime, which survived a struggle to overthrow for over a decade, could not survive the void left by Nasrallah's assassination. Just seventy days later, Hezbollah's loss translated into Assad's collapse, seemingly marking the logical end of a chapter in the region's history. The assassination of Nasrallah, the linchpin of Iran's strategic vision and the man through whom Tehran redrew the balance of power in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Iraq, was not a mundane event. It was the driving force behind a chain reaction. The Axis lost its compass, and Iran found itself in an unfamiliar defensive position after having long dictated the terms. Meanwhile, Hezbollah, which had been renowned for its adaptability, lacks the tools needed to deal with this new equation: an absent leader, faltering command, an exhausted popular base, and regional alliances that turned out to be more fragile than they had appeared. For years, it had been widely believed that Lebanon's fate was shaped solely by major shifts in Tehran. That assumption had been that only seeds planted beyond its borders could sprout on its soil. However, recent events are the clearest indication we have had to date that this assumption must be reconsidered. The upheaval that shook the region was neither the result of a global decision nor an extension of a regional deal. Rather, the ripples came from within, beginning in Beirut's southern suburbs before broadening outward. The axis did not fall because of global power dynamics, but because the figure who had glued it together was killed. His death exposed that what had once seemed like a solid bloc was, at its core, built on an illusion of sustainability. Following the speeches of Syrian President Ahmad Sharaa or the political discourse in Lebanon (whether in President Joseph Aoun's inaugural address or Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's statements), it is impossible not to notice the salience of terms like sovereignty, independence, economy, and development- the unmistakable echo of Rafik Hariri's voice. It is as though his funeral in February 2005 was, in fact, a public announcement that his absence would be destined to mark the beginning of a new presence- a deeper and more enduring presence. In contrast, Nasrallah's funeral seems like the last stop on the course of a decline that had begun years ago. His departure will serve as an acknowledgment that the era he represented has come to an end. The question does not revolve around the future of this era, but the very survival of Hezbollah as an idea and an entity. History is not merely a chronology of its protagonists' actions; it is the conclusions we draw from events once the noise fades. It is not difficult to predict which of the two men's names will be etched into Lebanon's memory and which will be reduced to nothing more than a footnote in the archives of forgotten conflicts.
National News
14-02-2025
- Politics
- National News
Russian Foreign Ministry on Hariri's Anniversary: An irreplaceable loss for Lebanon and its fiends around the world
NNA - The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday commemorated the late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on the 20th anniversary of his assassination. In an issued statement, the Ministry said: "February 14 marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic death of the Lebanese statesman, prominent public figure and friend of Russia, Rafik Hariri, and a number of his comrades, as a result of a terrorist attack in downtown Beirut. Hariri played an important role in reaching the Taif Agreement, which ended the bloody and destructive civil war in Lebanon from 1975 to 1990." The statement added, "As a true patriot, he devoted all his strength and energy to the cause of rebuilding his country in the post-war period. Prime Minister Hariri had sincere sympathy for Russia and made a significant contribution to strengthening Russian-Lebanese relations and developing multifaceted partnerships between our countries.' 'The passing of one of the most prominent Lebanese leaders in modern history was an irreplaceable loss for Lebanon and its friends around the world," the statement concluded.
Al Manar
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Hariri Says Al-Mustaqbal Movement Will Return to Political Life: South, Bekaa and Dahiyeh are Part of Lebanon's New Opportunity
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri underlined support for the Lebanese Army in order to achieve the Israeli enemy's withdrawal from all the villages in South Lebanon, stressing that the Southerners as well as Bekaa and Dahiyeh residents are part of the new national opportunity. Marking the twentieth commemoration of his father's martyrdom, Hariri said: 'Today, after twenty years, we have returned to this square to say to Rafik Hariri – we have missed you!' He considered that Rafik Hariri and his supporters are still present in Beirut's Martyrs' Square and all arenas, and belong not only to the Future (Al-Mustaqbal) Movement but to all of Lebanon, asserting that the movement remains one of moderation, reconstruction, liberties, and building of the state and its institutions, and the movement of Arabism, modernity, openness, and coexistence among all the Lebanese. Addressing the gathering of supporters who came to pay tribute to the memory of the late Prime Minister, Hariri said, 'This is an occasion to announce our support for the stability of Syria and the best equal relations from one country to another, as announced by the new Syrian leadership. In these 20 years, our country has gone through many crises, and we have never denied that part of the responsibility lies with us. I submitted my resignation and made way for three years or more. We are responsible for ourselves before the people and before the Lord Almighty.' Hariri continued to pay respect to all the fallen martyrs in all Lebanese regions, hailing the solidarity demonstrated among the Lebanese in supporting each other in the hard times, and stressing that solving the economic crisis is everyone's responsibility. 'Today there is a golden opportunity; we have a new president and a new government,' he underlined. Addressing the people of the South, the Bekaa and Beirut's suburbs, he said: 'You are partners in this opportunity, and without you, it cannot be achieved. But you must break any previous impression that you are a force of obstruction and weapons…You are partners in opening bridges of relations with our Arab brothers and partners in reconstruction, and most importantly: you are strong partners in restoring the state's reputation, which alone, with its army, security forces, and institutions, protects the Lebanese, all the Lebanese.' Hariri recalled Martyr Rafik Hariri's project based on the Taif Constitution, building the state, developing its institutions, and preserving its sovereignty. 'We support the president, the government, and every effort to build a normal state to restore Lebanon's role in the world. We are with the army and the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation from all the villages in which it is present,' he underlined. Hariri considered that the problem with the Israeli enemy's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is 'escaping responsibility, escaping from peace to war, a problem of occupation, killing, and displacement of a people,' adding that this 'cannot be solved at the expense of Egypt, Jordan or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.' 'We will remain with you in all national milestones, and everything will be good in its own time,' Hariri asserted.
Asharq Al-Awsat
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon Marks 20th Anniversary of Rafik Hariri's Assassination amid Political Shifts
Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in downtown Beirut on Friday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination, which comes amid seismic regional political shifts. The ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December after 54 years of family rule in Syria marked the fall of a government long accused of orchestrating Hariri's assassination and other political killings in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Lebanese group Hezbollah — whose members were convicted by a UN-backed tribunal for their role in Hariri's murder — now faces its own turning point following the assassination of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike in September. Nasrallah's funeral is set for February 23. "This is the beginning of justice. If the justice of the earth did not serve us, no one escapes the justice of heaven," said Hariri's son, former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, as he addressed a huge crowd in the capital Beirut. "After 20 years, Rafik Hariri's project is continuing, and those who tried to kill the project, look where they are now," Saad added. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, appointed in early February, visited Hariri's burial site earlier Friday. "Today, we remember the legacy of the great martyr in serving Lebanon, preserving its national unity, and working for its prosperity," Salam wrote on X. "He was greatly respected in the Arab world and the world, leaving Lebanon with a remarkable moral and political legacy." Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun also paid tribute to Hariri, saying on X that Hariri's "national stances were a fundamental building block in strengthening national unity and protecting civil peace." Hariri was killed on Feb. 14, 2005, when a massive bomb exploded near the St. Georges Hotel, a historic landmark on Beirut's waterfront. The blast killed 21 other people and injured over 200. In 2020, a UN-backed tribunal convicted one member of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group and acquitted three others of involvement in the assassination. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon said Salim Ayyash was guilty as a co-conspirator of five charges linked to his involvement in the suicide truck bombing. None of the suspects was ever arrested or attended court to hear the verdicts. The assassination of Hariri ignited the "Cedar Revolution," leading to massive protests against Syria's nearly three-decade political hegemony and military presence in Lebanon, ultimately culminating in the withdrawal of Syrian troops in 2005. The assassination also intensified sectarian divisions within Lebanon and bolstered the political influence of Assad's ally, Hezbollah. Hopes that Lebanon 'would unite' Buses from across Lebanon arrived early, bringing supporters to downtown Beirut to commemorate the anniversary. Thousands of people filled the streets and waved Lebanese flags and the blue flag of Hariri's Future Movement to songs honoring Hariri's memory. "After the Syrian and Iranian guardianship ended and the ousting of the Syrian regime, the Lebanese state alone rules us," Mohammad Kanaan told The Associated Press. "In this square, you expelled Bashar Assad from Lebanon," Saad said during his speech. "And after twenty years of sectarian rule, detention and brutality, the heroic Syrian people rose up and expelled the criminal from Syria." Another supporter, Ahmad Serhal, said he hoped that "Lebanon would unite" after the departure of Assad. "All the political shifts are for the good of this country. Lebanon is for all the Lebanese, we need to reach an agreement and unite." "God took revenge upon those who assassinated president Rafik — from ousting Assad, from ousting the system that is allied with Iran," Ahmad Trab said. "We hope for a better future now with Syria." Israeli withdrawal deadline looms The anniversary of Hariri's death comes just four days before the deadline for Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon under a ceasefire agreement that ended a 14-month war with Hezbollah in late November. The ceasefire deal also stipulates that Hezbollah must end its military presence south of the Litani River, with the Lebanese Army and UN peacekeepers deploying in the vacated areas. The pullout deadline, initially set for Jan. 26, was postponed to Feb. 18. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Lebanon "absolutely rejects" an Israeli proposal to keep troops in five strategic border points after the withdrawal. "It is the responsibility of the Americans to impose (the withdrawal), otherwise they will have caused the biggest setback for the government," he said. Aoun has also insisted that Israel must adhere to the agreed-upon timeline. During his speech, Saad also emphasized the need for the Israeli army's withdrawal from Lebanon. Saad addressed the people of southern and eastern Lebanon, regions largely supporters of and influenced by Hezbollah, urging them to seize Lebanon's golden opportunity while dispelling any perception of being "a force of obstruction." Renewed Arab engagement On Feb. 8, Lebanon formed a new government led by Salam, the first fully empowered administration since 2022. Salam, a former president of the International Court of Justice, was appointed following the election of Aoun in January. The 24-member cabinet includes a mix of technocrats and political figures, representing various sects, including Hezbollah's allies. Although Hezbollah did not formally endorse Salam's appointment, the group negotiated during the government formation process. The United States has expressed support for the new government, emphasizing the importance of stability and reforms, though opposing Hezbollah's direct participation in the cabinet. Salam's government now faces Lebanon's longstanding economic crisis and an urgent need to implement key financial reforms. The political shift has reopened the door for renewed Arab countries that previously distanced themselves from Lebanon due to the growing influence of Iran and Hezbollah. The countries are now reassessing their approach, with hopes of reintegrating Lebanon into the Arab fold.
Al Arabiya
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Lebanon marks 20th anniversary of Rafik Hariri's assassination amid political shifts
Thousands of supporters gathered in downtown Beirut Friday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination, which comes amid seismic regional political shifts. The ousting of Al-Assad in December after 54 years of family rule in Syria marked the fall of a government long accused of orchestrating Hariri's assassination and other political killings in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah–whose members were convicted by a UN-backed tribunal for their role in Hariri's murder–now faces its own turning point following the assassination of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in September. Nasrallah's funeral is set for February 23. 'This is the beginning of justice. If the justice of the earth did not serve us, no one escapes the justice of heaven,' said Hariri's son, former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, as he addressed a huge crowd in the capital, Beirut. 'After 20 years, Rafik Hariri's project is continuing, and those who tried to kill the project, look where they are now,' Saad added. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, appointed in early February, visited Hariri's burial site earlier Friday. 'Today we remember the legacy of the great martyr in serving Lebanon, preserving its national unity and working for its prosperity,' Salam wrote on X. 'He was greatly respected in the Arab world and the world, leaving Lebanon with a remarkable moral and political legacy.' Lebanon's president, Joseph Aoun, also paid tribute to Hariri, saying on X that Hariri's national stances were a fundamental building block in strengthening national unity and protecting civil peace. Hariri was killed on Feb. 14, 2005, when a massive bomb exploded near the St. Georges Hotel, a historic landmark on Beirut's waterfront. The blast killed 21 other people and injured over 200. In 2020, a UN-backed tribunal convicted one member of the terrorist group Hezbollah and acquitted three others of involvement in the assassination. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon said Salim Ayyash was guilty as a co-conspirator of five charges linked to his involvement in the suicide truck bombing. None of the suspects was ever arrested or attended court to hear the verdicts. The assassination of Hariri ignited the Cedar Revolution, leading to massive protests against Syria's nearly three-decade military presence in Lebanon, ultimately culminating in the withdrawal of Syrian troops in 2005. The assassination also intensified sectarian divisions within Lebanon and bolstered the political influence of al-Assad's ally, Hezbollah. Buses from across Lebanon arrived early, bringing supporters to downtown Beirut to commemorate the anniversary. Thousands of people filled the streets and waved Lebanese flags and the blue flag of Hariri's Future Movement to songs honoring Hariri's memory. 'After the Syrian and Iranian guardianship ended and the ousting of the Syrian regime, the Lebanese state alone rules us,' Mohammad Kanaan told The Associated Press. 'In this square you expelled Al-Assad from Lebanon,' Saad said during his speech. 'And after twenty years of sectarian rule, detention and brutality, the heroic Syrian people rose up and expelled the criminal from Syria.' Another supporter, Ahmad Serhal, said he hoped that Lebanon would unite after the departure of al-Assad. 'All the political shifts are for the good of this country. Lebanon is for all the Lebanese; we need to reach an agreement and unite. God took revenge upon those who assassinated president Rafik–from ousting Al-Assad, from ousting the system that is allied with Iran,' Ahmad Trab said. 'We hope for a better future now with Syria.' The anniversary of Hariri's death comes just four days before the deadline for Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon under a cease-fire agreement that ended a 14-month war with Hezbollah in late November. The cease-fire deal also stipulates that Hezbollah must end its military presence south of the Litani River, with the Lebanese Army and UN peacekeepers deploying in the vacated areas. The pullout deadline, initially set for Jan. 26, was postponed to Feb. 18. Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Lebanon absolutely rejects an Israeli proposal to keep troops in five strategic border points after the withdrawal. 'It is the responsibility of the Americans to impose (the withdrawal); otherwise they will have caused the biggest setback for the government,' he said. Aoun has also insisted that Israel must adhere to the agreed-upon timeline. During his speech, Saad also emphasized the need for the Israeli army's withdrawal from Lebanon. Saad addressed the people of southern and eastern Lebanon regions, largely supporters of and influenced by Hezbollah, urging them to seize Lebanon's golden opportunity while dispelling any perception of being a force of obstruction. On Feb. 8, Lebanon formed a new government led by Salam, the first fully empowered administration since 2022. Salam, a former president of the International Court of Justice, was appointed following the election of Aoun in January. The 24-member cabinet includes a mix of technocrats and political figures representing various sects, including Hezbollah's allies. Although Hezbollah did not formally endorse Salam's appointment, the group negotiated during the government formation process. The US has expressed support for the new government, emphasizing the importance of stability and reforms, though opposing Hezbollah's direct participation in the cabinet. Salam's government now faces Lebanon's longstanding economic crisis and an urgent need to implement key financial reforms. The political shift has reopened the door for renewed Arab engagement, particularly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which had previously distanced themselves from Lebanon due to the growing influence of Iran and its ally Hezbollah. These countries, which had strong ties with Lebanon under Hariri, are now reassessing their approach with hopes of reintegrating Lebanon into the Arab fold.
