Rafic Hariri

 City Beat, Detroit

Future Movement Michigan commemorates 10 years since Hariri’s assassination

(DETROIT, MI) — The Michigan Chapter of the Future Movement political party held a banquet on Thursday, commemorating the 10-year anniversary since the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, who was assassinated on Feb. 14, 2005.

Hariri was a celebrated political icon and business tycoon, who was known as a voice of moderation and advocate for an independent and prosperous Lebanon.

The Michigan political group hosted Mirna Meneimneh, Expatriates Sector General Coordinator for Tayyar Al-Mustaqbal in Lebanon, who also attended a luncheon welcoming former President of Lebanon Amine Gemayel on Saturday.

Meneimneh said the late premier’s efforts will continue under the “promise” of his son, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

WATCH Future Movement Michigan President Ibrahim Hakkani talk about the commemoration:

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Ex-PM Saad Hariri speaks at ceremony honoring late father

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri arrived in Beirut on a rare visit to participate in a ceremony honoring his late father Rafic Hariri, who was assassinated on Feb. 14, 2005.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 10-year anniversary since the former premier’s death, Hariri said his father’s legacy for Lebanon “remains valid” today.

“Ten years ago, the first earthquake struck dear Beirut,” Hariri said. “They assassinated Rafic Hariri and killed a major symbol for success and construction. Throughout 10 years, several quakes occurred one after one to reach unprecedented levels of organized chaos and murder.”

Hariri added that those behind his father’s assassination are still working to kill his legacy of religious unity and coexistence.

“The martyr premier exerted efforts to confront civil war and he rebuilt the state and here we are facing a plan to divide it and destroy its institutions,” he said. “We are facing a plan to empty the state and destroy its institutions and we’re facing a marginalization of Lebanon in its Arab and international ties and a deterioration in development and the standard of living of the Lebanese.”

Hariri criticized Hezbollah for involving Lebanon into regional matters, adding that Lebanon has “no right” to interfere in the foreign affairs of other countries.

“Lebanon is not in an axis that extends from Iran to Syria to Palestine,” Hariri said. “Lebanon is not in any axis and the Lebanese are not products to be used on anyone’s table.”

But he also underlined the importance of dialogue with his political rivals, saying talks launched between the two parties in December were “serious.”

“Dialogue with Hezbollah is not “political luxury” or a step to leave behind the points of contention,” he said. “Dialogue is simply a necessity in this period — an Islamic need to contain the Islamic tensions and a national need due to the ongoing vacuum.”

Hariri urged Hezbollah to withdraw from Syria, saying Lebanon should not have to bear consequences of the conflict’s spillover.

“We support the state and army in the face of extremism and terrorism and there is no middle ground between moderation and extremism,” he said. “There is no middle ground between the army and the militia, between national unity and civil war, or between a sovereign, independent Lebanon and a divided Lebanon.”

Hariri’s last visit to Lebanon was in August following deadly attacks in the northeastern town of Arsal. He has been living in self-imposed exile between France and Saudi Arabia since 2011.

WATCH Saad Hariri’s full remarks:

RELATED: Lebanese officials remember Rafic Hariri. Read more.

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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry honors Rafic Hariri’s legacy

(WASHINGTON, DC) — United States Secretary of State John Kerry honored Rafic Hariri’s legacy on Friday, just one day before the 10th anniversary of the former prime minister’s assassination on Feb. 14, 2005.

“Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, known to many as “Mr. Lebanon,” was guided by his vision of a stable, sovereign, and prosperous homeland,” Kerry said. “He spent his life working to make Lebanon more democratic, more free, more prosperous, and more secure – for all its people.”

Kerry, who expressed U.S. support to the Special Tribunal investigating Hariri’s assassination, said Hariri was killed by “some (who) feared he might succeed.”

“On behalf of President Barack Obama, I can tell you that America’s commitment to Lebanon remains as strong as ever,” he said.

“We continue to support in very practical ways Lebanon’s full sovereignty and independence from outside influence, including through our support for the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Baabda Declaration, and Lebanon’s dissociation policy from foreign conflicts.”

The secretary of state also urged Lebanese leaders to elect a president, a move he says will be a step forward.

“I urge Lebanon’s leaders not to look outside of their country for a resolution to the presidential gridlock, but instead to find a solution from within,” Kerry said. “Unless and until a president is chosen, the erosion of Lebanon’s political institutions will only become more pronounced.”

Kerry went on to indirectly attack Hezbollah, which the United States classifies as a terrorist group.

“Make no mistake: there is no justification for the retention of arms by a militia or terrorist group that answers – not to the Lebanese people – but to foreign governments in Damascus and Tehran,” he said.

VIDEO: Kerry’s message to Lebanon on the 10th Anniversary of Rafic Hariri’s Assassination:

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Lebanese officials remember Rafic Hariri

(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Religious and political leaders in Lebanon are remembering Rafic Hariri on the 10th anniversary of his assassination on Feb. 14, 2005, after his motorcade was targeted in a massive exposion in Beirut.

Hariri was a celebrated political icon and business tycoon, who was known as a voice of moderation and advocate for an independent and prosperous Lebanon.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam described Hariri’s death as a “sad moment” in history, hoping that the judicial system will bring justice to the 10-year case.

“Now that Rafic Hariri is gone, we have lost a great leader who exerted himself to replace Lebanon on the world map, and to give it a special place in the Arab world, especially after the ghastly war,” Salam said in a statement.

“We salute the memory of the man who dedicated his life entirely to achieving Lebanon’s security, sovereignty, pride and prosperity.”

Salam also called for political leaders to keep Hariri’s legacy alive by reinforcing state institutions and urging dialogue between political groups.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian visited Hariri’s tomb and expressed sorrow for the political instability in Lebanese parliament.

“The 10th annual commemoration of PM Rafic Hariri comes at gloomy time for Lebanon, as Parliament’s mandate was extended twice, presidential election had failed so far, the institutions are rusting, and security is volatile due to wars next door,” Derian said.

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, who is a member of Hariri’s Future Movement, vowed to carry on the former prime minister’s legacy until “all his objectives are achieved.”

“The road is still very long until we restore the state’s authority, disband illegal arms and achieve total sovereignty in the country for which Rafic Hariri was a martyr,” Rifi said in a statement released to the Lebanese National News Agency.

Several Lebanese politicians visited Hariri’s grave in Downtown Beirut, including Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblatt, Head of the parliamentary Future bloc Fouad Siniora, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk, Future Movement MP Jamal Jarrah, and Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon.

Two wreaths carrying the names of Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Speaker Nabih Berri were also laid on the grave.

RELATED: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry pays tribute to Former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. Read more.

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