Lebanon marks the 14th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a huge ceremony this Thursday at the Beirut Waterfront, with the participation of around 12,000 people, according to organizers.
Economy will prevail over this year’s event, with the expected launching of a reform workshop by the new government, which is headed by Mustaqbal Movement leader Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
Invitations to attend the commemoration were sent to political parties, excluding Hezbollah. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Mustaqbal sources noted that it was “not logical to invite a party, some members of which are accused by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon of assassinating the prime minister.”
The sources added that the Beirut Waterfront will embrace one of the largest crowds hosted by a hall since Hariri’s assassination, as the number of attendees would likely exceed 12,000.
“The anniversary will be held this year at a time of increasing challenges and amid complex internal and regional circumstances,” said the Prime Minister’s adviser, former MP Ammar Houry.
“We will face this stage with greater national unity and adherence to the Taif Agreement… and we will always strive to resolve our differences within the democratic framework on the basis that no one is greater than his country,” he added.
