Preparations are in full swing for the commemoration of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri’s assassination in downtown Beirut on Tuesday. MP Saad Rafic Hariri held talks with a number of officials and dignitaries ahead of the event, and telephoned Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir to thank him for his national positions and his call on all Lebanese to cement national unity on the occasion of February 14.
In Koreitem, former President Amin Gemayel, who met MP Hariri, urged all Lebanese to participate in the “historic” event tomorrow, and hailed the return of Mr. Hariri as very significant politically. He said tomorrow’s rally amounts to a referendum, and a call to take part, for all Lebanese who believe in the independence uprising, freedom, democracy, and a strong state. Mr. Gemayel stressed that attempts to derail the uprising’s achievements should be blocked. He said the drive towards independence and sovereignty should be re-launched in line with a strategic work plan.
The former President also told reporters that the assassination of the late Premier had paved the way for the withdrawal of Syrian troops and Lebanese independence, as well as the return of exiled politicians and the freedom of those who were imprisoned.
MP Hariri later met Telecommunications Minister Marwan Hamadeh who handed him samples of the new stamps that were issued in commemoration of the late leader. Mr. Hariri also received MP Samir Franjieh and former MP Fares Saed, for talks on tomorrow’s rally. Head of the Future bloc, also in Koreitem, met separately with former Minister Omar Miskawi, former director general of the Internal Security Forces Brigadier Marwan Zein, and leader of the Zreikat tribe Mr. Kamel Daher Hajj Abou Deeb.