Supporters of Saad Hariri brandishing his photo during a walk to claim his return to the Lebanese political scene on Feb. 13, 2024, at Tarik Jdeideh, Beirut. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri visited Beirut for the second time since he went into self-imposed exile in January 2022. His appearance was marked by meetings with political and religious leaders as well as a sizable demonstration attended by people calling for Hariri's return to politics.
The occasion of his visit was to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the assassination of his father Rafic Hariri in 2005. He traveled from the United Arab Emirates where he's been living since he withdrew from politics.
'Let his message be kept alive'
Grand Mufti of Lebanon Abdellatif Deriane, Lebanon's highest Sunni authority, visited Rafik Hariri's grave during the day on Tuesday, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
"For the memory of the great martyr Rafik Hariri, we hope that his message will be kept alive, and that it will be carried by Saad Hariri, to continue his trajectory of justice and reform, reconstruction and renovation, his trajectory of the national public good," he said, before meeting Saad at the Maison du Centre, for a brief half-hour meeting.
Hariri's return 'will be decisive'
"In my opinion, Hariri's return to political work has begun, and will be decisive," said former Parliamentary Vice-President Elie Ferzli, who also visited the Maison du Centre, as did Aounist MP Alain Aoun, according to the former Prime Minister's press office.
Marada leader and presidential candidate Sleiman Frangieh and his son, MP Tony Frangieh. were also received in the evening at Maison du Centre, joining Hariri for dinner.
According to reports from al-Jadeed Television Channel, Hariri also met with Speaker of the House Nabih Berri on Monday evening, away from the media.
On Tuesday morning, the former prime minister received US ambassador Lisa Johnson, with whom "he discussed the latest developments," said Hariri's press statement, which also claimed Johnson had described the meeting as "excellent."
Saad Hariri also received other ambassadors based in Lebanon, including France's Herve Magro and Egypt's Ala' Moussa.
Outgoing Interior Minister Bassam Maoulaoui laid a wreath at Rafic Hariri's tomb in downtown Beirut. "Martyr Rafic Hariri's model was one of reconstruction and legitimacy. Through his martyrdom, he united the Lebanese around the idea of building a state. May he rest in peace," he wrote on X.
People march, calling for the political return of Saad Hariri, at Tarik Jdeideh, on Feb. 13, 2024. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient Today)
'Return march' to Tarik Jdeideh
Organizations marched in Tarik Jdeideh, a Sunni district of Beirut, calling it the "March of Return." They passed through several districts of the capital, celebrating Hariri's arrival.