On the 38th anniversary of Rashid Karami’s death key local and religious figures from northern Lebanon recited al-Fatiha (short quranic surah) at his grave in Bab al-Raml cemetery, Tripoli. (Courtesy of Michel Hallak/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Several Lebanese figures offered their condolences and commemorated the 38th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rashid Karami who served as Prime Minister eight times between 1955 and 1987 on Sunday.
In a post on the Lebanese Presidency's X account, President Joseph Aoun wrote that Rashid Karami was "a symbol of national unity and constructive dialogue, and a living example of a sincere politician who put the country's interest above all else." He added that "The best way to honor his memory is to uphold the values of dialogue and tolerance that he embodied, and to work together for a united and strong Lebanon."
The head of the Karamah Movement, MP Faisal Karami, Rashid Karami's nephew, extended his thanks to Aoun, for “his kind gesture," the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Sunday.
“It is not surprising that a son of the military school would hold in high regard the values of sacrifice and martyrdom in the service of Lebanon’s unity — its land, people, and institutions," Karami said, in reference to Aoun's career in the Lebanese Army, where he served as commander.
"Personally, I look forward with hope to a new Lebanon born in your era — a Lebanon we rescue from the hands of murderers, the corrupt, and the looters," he said.
MP Karami, his brother Khaled, along with key local and religious figures from northern Lebanon recited al-Fatiha (short quranic surah) at his grave in Bab al-Raml cemetery, Tripoli. They also laid a wreath on the grave, continuing the annual tradition.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam wrote on X that "Karami carried the concerns of Lebanon in both his heart and mind and gave his life for its sake. He was a man of dialogue when divisions prevailed, the true voice of Arabism when noise surrounded the question of identity and always sought the unity of the Lebanese under the roof of the state and its institutions. Rashid Karami was a man who never wavered, never compromised, and left his mark for generations to come."
Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Najib Mikati said, according to NNA: "We remember him as a statesman who undertook pivotal roles that were etched into Lebanese history with the letters of patriotism and dignity. We also remember him as a national leader whose stances during difficult times remain a shining example of what protects and preserves the nation. May God have mercy on his soul."
Karami (1921–1987) was born in Tripoli to a prominent Sunni family, he entered politics in 1951 after his father's death. Known as a crisis leader, he held several key ministerial roles and was a strong supporter of Syrian influence in Lebanon.
Karami was assassinated in 1987 when a bomb exploded on his helicopter. His death marked a turning point during the Lebanese Civil War. Head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea was later convicted for the assassination but was released in 2005.