Hariri slams Assad and Israel in tribute to slain father

Saad Hariri, former Lebanese Prime Minister and son of slain PM Rafik Hariri, spoke at a rally marking the 10th anniversary of Rafik Hariri’s assassination.

“There is nothing better than being here among you,” Saad Hariri said.

Hariri reflected on the ten years that have passed since his father’s brutal assassination on February 14, 2005.

“Ten years ago, the first earthquake struck dear Beirut. They assassinated Rafik Hariri and killed a major symbol for success and construction. Throughout 10 years, several quakes occurred one after one to reach unprecedented levels of organized chaos and murder,” Hariri said”

Hariri described the mass destruction that resulted from the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, “after you, the April Agreement was eradicated and the enemy waged the dirtiest war against Lebanon in 2006. The state became a hostage for an equation usurping the decisions of war and peace. After you, states and regimes collapsed, societies weakened and deep-rooted cities turned into swamps of strife and terrorism.

“After you, Bashar Assad managed to smash Syria over the heads of the Syrians and he managed to open the border for the spread of the forces of extremism and perversity and the displacement of 10 million Syrian citizens,” Hariri added.

“After you, rulers in Iraq made bigotry the basis of their governance and Yemen took off the dress of happiness.”

Hariri also expressed his grief over the death of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, “Several days ago, we lost a great friend for Lebanon, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, who will remain in the memory of the Lebanese … And days ago, we witnessed together with the brotherly Saudi people the pledge of allegiance to King Salman. We voice the pledge of loyalty to the kingdom and its people and leadership.”