Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri commemorated on Tuesday the eighteenth anniversary of the assassination of his father, late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, refraining from giving a speech before thousands of supporters, so as not to give the occasion a political dimension.
Hariri, who landed on Sunday evening in Beirut a year after withdrawing from the political scene, abstained from fulfilling the desire of his supporters, who were eager to hear words that outline the features of the next stage and determine the date of his return to Lebanon’s political life.
However, the heavy crowd present at the commemoration conveyed a significant message, which confirmed that the former premier still enjoyed a wide popular base, mainly among the Sunnis.
Hariri arrived at Martyrs' Square in downtown Beirut, at 12.45 in the afternoon on Tuesday, amid tight security measures imposed by the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces.
He made his way through thousands of people, who gathered to greet him, before reaching the gravesite of his father and his companions, who died in the bombing of February 14, 2005.
Hariri greeted the crowd without a word. His silent presence seemed expressive, as if it were a message to his former allies and opponents.
No sooner had he moved from downtown Beirut to his Center House residence, than hundreds were waiting for him inside the courtyard and in the streets leading to his house.
Hariri saluted them, saying: “I have already told you that this house will remain open, and God willing, it will remain open with your presence and love…You are the good people who wept for Rafik Hariri, and this house will complete this journey with you...”
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, an official of Al-Mustaqbal Movement said that Hariri told his close circles that he would stay in Lebanon “only a few days,” and that he was still reluctant to pursue political work.
For his part, former MP Mohammed al-Hajjar said the former premier’s decision to suspend political activity came after a careful review and reading of his experience in governance.
He added that the circumstances that dictated the suspension of political action still exist, as “the ruling mentality has not changed, and the events that Lebanon is going through prove the correctness of this option.”
