As Lebanon approaches the 20th anniversary of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination on February 14, 2005, this year’s commemoration is markedly different, especially amongst his supporters, the Sunni community
The ousting of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and the death of ex-Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah have reshaped the political landscape, prompting reflections on justice.
The Assad regime has long been implicated in Hariri’s assassination, similarly Hassan Nasrallah whose militant party has been accused of involvement in Hariri’s assassination have received significant blows recently. For many Lebanese, these events are seen as a form of divine justice for Hariri’s assassination, as they symbolize the end of an era dominated by figures perceived as obstacles to Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability.
The emergence of these significant events offers a moment for reflection on the country’s past and aspirations for its future.
In this context, there is growing speculation about the return of Saad Hariri, Rafik’s son, to the political arena in Lebanon.
Having stepped back from politics in recent years, Saad’s potential comeback is viewed by some as a continuation of his fathers legacy, especially in a transformed political environment in the country and neighboring Syria.
“Assad has fallen… This is the day I have been waiting for since that dark hour. How happy I am to see you shouting the voice of freedom in Damascus, after it was freed from its great prison. Today, you celebrate Syria’s wedding with the fall of its dictator, who terrorized Syrians and Lebanese and blackmailed Arabs and the world,” Saad Hariri posted on X.
In August 2020, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon found Salim Ayash, a mid-level operative in Hezbollah, guilty in the murder of Hariri using explosive materials and was sentenced to five life terms in prison.
The assassination sent Lebanon into its most severe crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, triggering years of political confrontation.
Amid widespread accusations against Damascus, Syrian forces, which had maintained a presence in Lebanon for over four decades, were compelled to withdraw from the country.
After the Tribunal’s ruling, Lebanon was technically required to hand over Ayash. However, given that Hezbollah and its allies wield significant political influence within the government, this did not happen.
Hezbollah’s ex-leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has consistently rejected any possibility of surrendering members of the group. He has repeatedly defended the suspect’s innocence and dismissed the Tribunal as a politically motivated plot aimed at undermining Hezbollah, even vowing to “cut off the hand” that tries to remand them.
Nasrallah, who led Hezbollah as secretary-general for over 30 years, was killed on September 27 amid intensified Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs. His funeral is set for February 23, several months after his death in an Israeli airstrike.
Not long ago, Salim Ayash was killed in al-Qusayr, a Syrian town near the Lebanese border. This news came two days after an Israeli airstrike struck a vehicle there.
Supporters of Rafik Hariri took to social media to celebrate his death, claiming that after years of evading justice, divine punishment had finally been served, even unfortunately through Israel rather than serving his life sentence in prison.
A Lebanon-based political analyst, Rabih Itani told NOW: “Hezbollah’s history is marked by a long list of opponents who have met violent ends, often after openly criticizing the group or its allies. Many of these figures were politicians, journalists, and intellectuals who opposed Syria’s decades-long occupation of Lebanon and advocated for its withdrawal.”
Among them were individuals from Rafik Hariri’s political circle, who pushed for Lebanese sovereignty and paid the ultimate price, according to Rabih.
In more recent years, high-profile assassinations have continued, including the 2013 killing of former Finance Minister Mohamad Chatah, a vocal critic of Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon, and the 2021 assassination of Lokman Slim, a Shiite intellectual and activist who was one of the group’s most outspoken opponents.
Lebanon’s identity under Hariri
“Hariri’s killers may have taken his life, but they couldn’t erase his vision that has ultimately outlasted them as his vision of the country still lives on amongst the majority of Lebanese. He dreamed of a modern and prosperous Lebanon, unlike Hezbollah and its allies, who have pushed the country toward isolation under Tehran’s influence.” Said Rabih.
Hariri prioritized investing in Lebanese people, starting with education through funding the studies of 30,000 young Lebanese individuals from all sects and regions.
His contributions extended to major academic institutions like the American University of Beirut and the Lebanese University, ensuring their success and excellence.
He also supported the country’s resilience in other ways, including direct financial assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces, at one point covering part of the salaries of officers and soldiers.
Hariri’s commitment to a free press was another cornerstone of his vision. He financially supported An-Nahar newspaper when it faced financial challenges, a move that angered Bashar al-Assad, who pressured him to sell his shares in the publication.
Assad later incited hostility against An-Nahar’s editor, Gebran Tueni, who was assassinated in late 2005, joining a long list of Lebanese figures targeted for their belief in a sovereign Lebanon. From Samir Kassir and Lokman Slim to Mohammad Chatah, Bassel Fleihan, Pierre Amine Gemayel, and others.
A new era for Lebanon?
Lebanon is going through another crucial period, as its people look forward to a better future with a new President and government.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has been weakened following its war with Israel and the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria.
Today, thousands of people gathered in downtown Beirut on Friday to mark 20 years since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The event took place at a time of major political changes in the region.
Saad Al Hariri confirmed his support for President Joseph Aoun and the new government through his speech. “We support the presidency, the government and every effort to build a normal state and establish normal relations with the Arabs and the international community, so that Lebanon can regain its role in the region and the world.”
Rafik Hariri’s anniversary is a reminder of his vision for a stable Lebanon with strong institutions as he is still remembered as a key figure in Lebanon’s economic recovery and rebuilding efforts after the civil war.
Rodayna Raydan is a Lebanese-British journalist. You can follow her on Twitter @Rodayna_462
The views in this story reflect those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of NOW.
