A delegation of European Socialist parties paid
tribute to martyred Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, and
pledged support to find the perpetrators of the
February 14 car bombing that killed the late leader
and his companions. After paying their condolences to
Mrs Nazek Hariri and the family in Beirut, the
delegation also expressed backing for "democratic
forces" in Lebanon. They later visited Mr. Hariri's
grave in downtown Beirut.
The delegation included: Mr. Paul Nyrup Rosmussen
president of the European Socialists, Mr. François
Hollande, leader of the French Socialist Party, Mr.
George lap pandrou, leader of Fasok Mr. Elio Liryjo,
leader of the Belgian socialist party, Mr. Pierre
Mauroy, former French Prime Minister and former
socialist party leader (France) Mr. Philip Cordery,
Secretary General of the European Socialists (France).
On behalf of the European Socialist parties, Mr.
Rosmussen said: " We had the honor of placing our red
roses to honor him and honor all he stood for or has
done for this wonderful country," adding the group
"felt very strongly that the people here, the Lebanese
people and Mrs Hariri have a strong wish of finding
the truth behind this catastrophic and awful
Killings." He vowed support "to find the truth."
"We also expressed our political will to support the
democratic forces in this country, the window is open
now for new steps to freedom, to true democracy, to
true parliamentarian developments, that's why we are
here to listen and to support you in your very
important political and people work," Mr. Rosumussen
told reporters.
For his part, Mr. Liryjo said, "We are here to support
the democracy, a stable democracy and freedom for
Lebanon". President of the French Socialist Party
Mr. François Hollande, also told reporters the
delegation is in Beirut to send a message of peace and
to demand the truth be revealed behind the
assassination of the late Lebanese leader. He made
clear that an international probe should be launched.
He said peace must be preserved and Syria should
withdraw its troops from the country.