Mr. Saadeddine Hariri warned against attempts to wreck national unity to derail parliamentary elections so that “some” officials can remain in their current positions if Parliament’s term is extended. Speaking to thousands of supporters in Koreitem, in the presence of Mrs. Nazek Rafic Hariri, Mr. Saadeddine said those who now pretend to be safeguarding their sects had for many years sought to divide them and curtail their aspirations.
Reaffirming the late leader’s values of national unity and coexistence, Mr. Hariri said the murder of martyred Prime Minister Rafic Hariri amounted to an assassination of moderation, and called for preserving the outpour of unity following the February 14 bombing.
Mr. Hariri stressed that as the country approaches “tough” elections, there is an unprecedented campaign of sectarian incitement, pointing to attempts to block the elections by the same people who “procrastinated” with the aim of postponing the polls. He made clear that the 2000 law, which will govern the election, was tailor-made to weaken the late leader’s power but he had scored a resounding victory.
The slain Premier’s family had earlier reaffirmed its pledge to pursue the murdered leader’s legacy. Mrs. Nazek Hariri expressed to a huge rally in Kfar Falloos, near Sidon, the family’s commitment to sovereignty, democracy, and the Taif accord. MP Bahia Hariri also told some 50,000 people in Kfar Falloos, site of a major educational complex that was constructed by the late Premier, the assassinated leader paid with his life the price of his struggle for freedom.