‘Man of dialogue,’ ‘life partner’: Tributes to Rafik Hariri, 21 years after his assassination

BEIRUT — Numerous political and diplomatic figures paid tribute Saturday to former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, assassinated 21 years ago, gathering at his tomb during a mass rally in downtown Beirut attended by his son Saad.

The Future Movement, founded by Hariri, was represented by his sister Bahia Hariri, a former minister and MP, and by former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

Social Development Minister Haneen Sayed attended on behalf of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, alongside Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar, who praised “the path of a man who believed in Lebanon as the homeland of knowledge, reconstruction and hope.”

Also present were Kataeb MP Nadim Gemayel, a Lebanese Forces delegation including MP Ghassan Hasbani and former minister May Chidiac, as well as representatives of the Progressive Socialist Party.

Several diplomats also paid their respects, including U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa, Russia’s ambassador Alexander Rodakov, and U.A.E. Ambassador Fadl Salem Said al-Kaabi.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said that “Rafik Hariri’s legacy of peace and prosperity continues to resonate after all these years and carries renewed importance.”

“Today’s commemoration underscores the need for justice and for all those targeted by non-state actors to be brought to justice,” it added.

Saad Hariri also received a phone call from Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and later welcomed former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt at the Hariri residence. Jumblatt said that “the Taif Agreement is applicable,” stressing that “the Lebanese Army is making a colossal effort to ensure the monopoly of arms, and doubts are being raised by some on the local scene.”

He also welcomed Saad Hariri’s remarks and his greeting to the people of the South. “Parliamentary elections will take place, and we are ready for them,” he concluded.

Criticism aimed at Hezbollah

Hariri's widow, Nazek, said in her speech that she salutes “life partner, who remains alive in every heart,” saying that “his dreams remain a window of hope toward a better future, where Lebanon will once again become a model of cultural encounter and coexistence between religions.”

She also called on Hezbollah to hand over its weapons to the authorities. “Weapons are not our language; our weapons are science, culture and knowledge. Our logic is not one of victor and vanquished; for us, the only victor is our homeland, Lebanon.”

Baha’ Hariri, Hariri’s eldest son, wrote on X that he would “not shake any hand stained with the blood” of his father or “that had conspired against his legacy.”

“The failed class that inherited power over the past two decades has managed to turn Lebanon into a hostage and plunge its people into a deep abyss of bankruptcy, dependency and systematic corruption. This ruling class, rotted by reliance on arms and the plundering of public funds, has not contented itself with destroying stones but has sought to break people’s will and dismantle Lebanon’s pioneering role,” he said, vowing not to offer any comfort to his father’s killers.

‘Remove illegal weapons’

Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh saluted “a patriot who loved his country without limits, working tirelessly to consolidate civil peace and restore Lebanon’s position in the world.”

Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh paid tribute to “the man of initiatives, moderation, dialogue and faith in unity and the freedom of Lebanon.”

MP Michel Moawad said: “They assassinated the man, but not the idea — the idea of Lebanon as a state, the Lebanon of moderation, openness and life.”

Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati said the commemoration revived “the principles and foundations he worked to establish, including building the state and strengthening national institutions, while reinforcing Lebanon’s relations with countries around the world and brotherly Arab nations, especially Saudi Arabia.”

Jaafarite Mufti Ahmad Qabalan, who is close to Hezbollah, said Hariri’s legacy remains “central.”

“He did not give up Lebanon’s strength, in particular its resistance, and regarded the South and its front as if it were Beirut, meeting sovereign requirements without submitting,” he added, calling on the political class to “draw lessons of sovereignty, continue reconstruction projects, and not trade away Lebanon’s resources or national interests.”