Hariri's Second Son Enters Lebanese Politics Vowing To Stop Hezbollah
Bahaa al-Hariri the son of slain former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri has announced he is entering politics after his brother Saad pulled out of public life.
Bahaa al-Hariri the son of slain former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri has announced he is entering politics after his brother Saad pulled out of public life.
Bahaa, 55, said he would "continue the journey" of Rafik al-Hariri, who, with Saudi backing, established the Hariri family as the dominant player in Lebanon's Sunni community before his assassination in 2005. Iran-backed Hezbollah was accused of carrying out a bloody bombing that killed the prime minister.
Saad al-Hariri, a three-time prime minister who made compromises with Hezbollah, lost some of influence and backing from Saudi Arabia, before he withdrew from politics.
Saad's announcement upended Lebanon's sectarian politics four months before a parliamentary election, adding to the uncertainties facing a nation grappling with a devastating financial crisis.
"Through partnership and solidarity, we will enter the battle to take back the country and the sovereignty of the country from its occupiers," said Bahaa, an apparent reference to Hezbollah of which he is a fierce critic.
Although he will not be a candidate in the upcoming elections, Bahaa said, "The son of the martyr Rafik Hariri will not leave Lebanon, I am with you and very soon I will be among you.”
It is not clear if Bahaa can fill the void left by Saad al-Hariri and put up a serious challenge to Hezbollah’s influence.
