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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Hariri: Lebanese Made the Accusation against Syria at Time of My Father's Murder |
| 2009-05-09 |
| Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri on Thursday responded to charges made by his political opponents that his movement had accused Syria of the assassination of his father ex-premier Rafik Hariri, saying: "The people of Lebanon made the accusation when the crime took place." "I am the son of Rafik Hariri and I say the accusation made against the Syrian regime is political," Hariri told a huge electoral rally in the area where MP Walid Eido and his son were assassinated in a car bomb in 2007. Addressing the crowd, Hariri said: "You were the first to know that the accusation did not come from nowhere. You also know that Rafik Hariri, prior to his assassination, was threatened by well-known people at the top of the pyramid of the previous regime under (Syrian) tutelage." Hariri reiterated his political stance regarding the 2005 assassination crime that killed his father saying: "If Israel was the one that assassinated my father, then why the attempts to hinder the Special Tribunal? Israel assassinated Palestine, gentlemen it assassinated Palestine." "We shall never fall into the trap of arms, sedition and civil war. We shall maintain our path -- that of the legitimate state, justice, moderation and education," Hariri said. He was referring to events last year on the same day when Beirut was overrun with violence. "Today is the first anniversary when madness believed it could overrun Beirut, but the city overran madness with its patriotism," he said. Hariri added, "The only weapon my father provided for young people is the weapon of education and progress. When Lebanon was under tutelage, when all Lebanese were desperate to have a state and an army, Rafik Hariri drafted the plan for state institutions," Hariri said. He accused his political opponents of attempting to carry the country outside the Taef accords. "The Special Tribunal for Lebanon is established and justice is coming. Criminals won't escape justice," Hariri charged. He announced Al-Mustaqbal Beirut 3 district list which includes Tamam Salam, Imad al-Hout, Ghazi Aridi, Atef Majdalani, Ammar Houry, Nabil de Freij, Ghazi Youssef, Bassem al-Shab and Mohammed Qabbani. Earlier, Jamaa Islamia parliamentary candidate Imad al-Hout said: "We don't want any sectarian clashes. We shall proof that May 7 events are behind us." Beirut 3 parliamentary candidate Culture Minister Tamam Salam added: "I am honored to be with Hariri on a single list. We want a strong Arab Lebanon far removed from any axis." Transportation and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi addressed rally supporters saying: "Beirut knows how to overcome hardships. This is the capital that has vanquished every injustice." |
| Posted by:Fred |