BBC News Updated every minute of every day
News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science & Environment Technology Entertainment Also in the news ----------------- Video and Audio ----------------- Programmes Have Your Say In Pictures Country Profiles Special Reports

Related BBC sites

Languages

Page last updated at 20:32 GMT, Saturday, 27 June 2009 21:32 UK
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version

Hariri steps out of his father's shadow

Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri at the Presidential palace, in Baabda east of Beirut, on Saturday June 27, 2009 Saad Hariri has powerful allies in Saudi Arabia and the West.

By Natalia Antelava
BBC News, Beirut

The pro-Western alliance, led by 39-year-old leader of the Sunni majority Saad Hariri, won a majority of seats in the June parliamentary election, beating the Iranian-backed opposition led by the Shia militant and political group Hezbollah.

Mr Hariri has failed, in more than 10 weeks, to form a government.

The young billionaire businessman Saad Hariri heads one of the largest business conglomerates in the Middle East and has powerful allies in Saudi Arabia and the West.

But he is best known for being the son of Rafik Hariri - Lebanon's former prime minister who was killed in Beirut in 2005.

The assassination, which altered the course of Lebanon's history, marked the beginning of Saad Hariri's own political career.

Softer rhetoric

Rafik Hariri's heir emerged at the forefront of the campaign for justice for his father. Along with his supporters at home and in the West, he blamed Syria for the car bomb that killed his father and forty others.

Damascus denied any involvement, but the assassination sparked such outcry that Syria was forced to withdraw its troops, ending its 30-year domination of Lebanon.

But more recently Saad Hariri has softened his anti-Syrian rhetoric and following the parliamentary election in June, he vowed to work together with the pro-Syrian opposition led by Hezbollah.

"His rhetoric now is much more reconciliatory, and is very different from what it was two years ago, when he was clearly a divisive figure," says Rami Khoury, the director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy at the American University of Beirut.

Playboy

Prior to his political career, Saad Hariri was best known for his playboy lifestyle, but many say that over the years he has transformed himself from a rich and inarticulate young man into a much more seasoned and assertive politician.

"He has made mixed impressions, and he still has to prove himself, but I think he has shown himself as a smart man who is up to the task," says Mr Khoury.

Hezbollah"s Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah (R) meeting Lebanese parliamentary majority and Future Movement leader Saad Hariri at an undisclosed location in Beirut overnight June 26, 2009. Saad Hariri has met with the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah.

But the task is daunting - Saad Hariri will need to create a unity government in the country, which remains deeply divided along sectarian lines.

On the eve of his nomination as prime minister, Saad Hariri met with one of his main opponents, the leader of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah. At the end of their rare, four-hour meeting, the two men vowed to work together.

New dialogue

But like everything else in Lebanon, Saad Hariri's success, or failure, as the prime minister will depend largely on what happens outside Lebanon.

This tiny country has always been the battleground of regional powers.

Many here believe that the success and calm of the June parliamentary election is the direct reflection of the new dialogue between the old regional foes - Syria, which supports Hezbollah, and Saudi Arabia, which backs Saad Hariri.

Equally, the recent events in Iran, Hezbollah's biggest backer, have undermined the potential for a dialogue between Tehran and Mr Hariri's allies in Washington - and that too could have a real impact on what happens in Lebanon.

Bookmark with:

What are these?

E-mail this to a friend
Printable version

Print Sponsor

LEBANON ELECTIONS
KEY STORIES
Hariri to step aside in Lebanon Hezbollah criticises cabinet plan Lebanon confirms Hariri election win High turnout in crucial Lebanon elections In pictures: Lebanon votes BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS

Lebanese Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri at the Presidential palace, in Baabda east of Beirut, on Saturday June 27, 2009 Into father's shoes
Rafik Hariri's son Saad faces a daunting task as prime minister, writes Natalia Antelava

No easy answers after poll Election explained Lebanese views: Poll reaction Crowds turn out for vote Inside Lebanese Hezbollah militia Lebanon's intelligence war with Israel How far will US support for Lebanon go? PROFILES Country profile: Lebanon Profile: Michel Suleiman Profile: Fouad Siniora Profile: Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah Who are the Maronites? Quick guide: Hezbollah
SERVICES

BBC logo News alerts
Get the latest breaking news delivered to your desktop or mobile device

TOP MIDDLE EAST STORIES UK Iraq war inquiry to begin
Belgian admits Iran arms charges
Hamas 'debating Shalit swap deal'

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Quantcast

Explore the BBC

Home

BBC links A to F

BBC links H to L

BBC links M to Sc

BBC links Sp to W

A whole lot more

To top

Site Links

BBC links

BBC © MMIX

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific

watch One-Minute World News

Change Text Only Settings

Graphic version of this page