Mr. Saad Rafic Hariri received this evening in Koraytem a large delegation representing the Itani family led by the head of the Union of Beirut Family Associations Ameen Itani who expressed allegiance to the Martyr Prime Minister Rafic Hariri's project and values which he was assassinated for. He said: "This visit of the Itani family delegation expresses adherence to the martyred Premier's values of development, reconstruction, moderation and national conciliation which Martyr Premier Rafic Hariri's son is now following."
He added: "In the present circumstances which the nation is witnessing and the democratic event embodied in the upcoming parliamentary elections which will take place in the next few days, we came to reaffirm our adherence to the unity of the Beiruti position. We also want to stress that voting is considered a national mission, because it means adhering to the Martyr Premier's path and principles."
Mr. Itani concluded by saying: "This meeting with Mr. Saad Hariri stressed on the national and democratic inclination for the legislative elections and the necessity for them to be a true expression of loyalty for the leader of development and reconstruction process Martyr Rafic Hariri and his movement which Mr. Saad Hariri is now representing."
Mr. Saad Hariri asked the gathering to recite the Fatiha on the soul of his father, and said: "You had a special affection in my father's heart and will always be like that to me. If my father wanted to rectify the unfairness that came upon you, I will pledge to achieve this in the coming period." He added: "Premier's eyes were always on Beirut, and he saw Lebanon through Beirut which was very precious to him. He always favored equality throughout Lebanon from the North to the South, Bekaa and Mount Lebanon. I pledge to stay loyal to the capital and to you, and I will always work all night to continue what the great Martyr started.
This house, the Hariri family house, will remain open for people as my martyred father wanted. I will seek to fulfill what he wanted and to continue his path in developing and building the capital and the whole country. My father was unable to achieve these goals because he was fought a lot. I tell you that the vote of each and every one of you on May 29th means that Rafic Hariri is still alive. Every vote will be a vote of loyalty to Martyr Rafic Hariri who wanted to change the corrupt authorities, which fought Beirut by preventing it from having its own schools, hospitals and a conference center.
Rafic Hariri used to receive the blows with magnanimity and absorbed everything. Despite all this, he believed in dialogue and sought tirelessly to bolster coexistence and to establish an assimilation power. In return, people showed him loyalty on March 14. Together, we will realize Rafic Hariri's dream, and I ask you to be by my side in this. No one would have dreamt of what has been fulfilled in Lebanon during the last three months. We want good relations with every one and we want Lebanon's sovereignty, freedom and independence. We don't want Lebanon to be an enemy for anyone but a friend to every one as Martyr Premier wanted. Finally, I tell you I am not Rafic Hariri but I will do my best to pursue and achieve his dream which they tried to wipe off."
Mrs. Nazek Rafic Hariri also addressed the crowds. She said: "We call upon all those who love Martyr Rafic Hariri to vote for the lists of Future Movement led by our son Saad. Our national project is the Taef Agreement, national reconciliation, dialogue and coexistence. Beirut is not only Lebanon's capital but also the capital of dedicated national thought, innovation and renovation. There is no substitute for national unity, freedom, democracy and sovereignty