Deputy Bahia Hariri vowed to press ahead with demands to reveal the truth behind the February 14 assassination of martyred former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and his companions, at a massive rally in downtown Beirut that marked a month since the late leader was murdered in Beirut. Deputy Hariri was speaking to hundreds of thousands of Lebanese who were gathered in the heart of Beirut, to declare their loyalty to a united, sovereign and free, and independent Lebanon.
She hailed the late Premier’s efforts in educating a large number of Lebanese youths and told the huge crowd that his “blood had baptized the unity” of Lebanon. Deputy Hariri criticized some officials who have been warning of divisions, pointing out that all the Lebanese, from all sects and regions have proved wise. She stressed that the Lebanese will not be “terrorized by criminals,” and will not fall prey to divisions reminiscent to 1975. The Sidon legislator in Parliament made clear that all the Lebanese who have been holding sit-ins want to live in freedom and security, raising Lebanon’s flag, while demanding the truth behind Mr. Hariri’s murder, whose blood she said “baptized the unity” of Lebanon. Deputy Hariri reiterated calls for an international probe into the assassination.
Recalling the late Prime Minister’s belief that people should always be free, Deputy Hariri told the large turnout that Mr. Hariri was a martyr of national conciliation and the Taif Accord, which ended Lebanon’s 1975-1990 war. She said the late leader overcame barricades of fire, destruction and death to push for dialogue. She revealed that in the next few days a follow up committee will be created to fully implement the Taif Accord, making it clear that the document which became Lebanon’s constitution will not be amended, paying tribute to Mr. Hariri and Saudi leaders who helped draft it.
Deputy Hariri pledged loyalty to Arab causes, primarily the cause of the Palestinian people, who have for many generations been struggling for their right of return and the creation of a state with Jerusalem as its capital. She said the Lebanese will remain in agreement over the right of return. Deputy Hariri stressed that Lebanon is committed to the Arabs and called on Arabs to support Lebanon in its current crisis, adding Mr. Hariri’s assassination targeted the dream of the Lebanese who seek security and prosperity.
“We will not say farewell to Syria,” “brothers do not grow apart and do not hold each other accountable” but together they build a better future, Deputy Hariri said. She told the huge gathering in downtown that Lebanon will back Syria in liberating the occupied Golan Heights, as Syria had supported Lebanon.
The legislator promised to pursue the murdered leader’s dream of a just state that serves its people, and said the country and its people should not be sacrificed for the sake of a “bunch of employees who receive their salaries from the people and the riches of the country.” Deputy Hariri told the gathering she will work for a secure and stable country, and reject a military state, vowing not to back down on demands to dismiss security chiefs so they do not prevent an investigation into the late leader’s assassination. She said Mr. Hariri was a martyr for democracy and moderation.
Deputy Hariri said despite the dangers and threats, the late Prime Minister took part in a session of Parliament to discuss an electoral law for next spring’s elections, to preserve Lebanese sovereignty, although the draft law had targeted him. She made clear that elections should not be postponed, and promised to pursue the path of Mr. Hariri in Beirut and throughout Lebanon.
The legislator paid tribute to the resistance and its heroic achievements in the South and the Western Bekaa, which should be protected. Deputy Hariri hailed, at the unprecedented large protest, that House Speaker Nabih Berri and Hizbollah Secretary General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah for their role in building a better Lebanese future, through the resistance. She praised the resistance against occupation and for resisting the enemies of creating a modern state. Deputy Hariri made it clear that Lebanon will be the last Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel.
At the end of her speech, and to loud applause, the Sidon Deputy asked everyone to join her in taking an oath to commit to finding the perpetrators of the February 14 assassination to put them on trial, and to remain loyal to Lebanon’s unity, freedom, sovereignty and independence.