Lebanon’s Hariri wants justice for his father’s killer

By Cagri Kosak and Mahmut Geldi

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AA) - Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri marked the 16th anniversary of his father’s assassination on Sunday, demanding that one of his killers be handed over.

Salim Ayyash, whose whereabouts are unknown, was sentenced in December last year in absentia to five life prison terms for his central role in the 2005 murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Speaking in a televised address, Hariri said the Lebanese people’s longing for his father is growing every year.

He noted that after 16 years, those who “believed themselves to be greater than the country” could not forget his father and are “still afraid of his true project for the country.”

Hariri called for the turning over of Ayyash, a member of the Hezbollah group.

"A judgment was issued by the Special Court for Lebanon against Salim Ayyash, one of the assassins of the late prime minister. This ruling must be implemented, and Ayyash must be delivered, no matter how long it takes,” he said.

"The decision against Ayyash will be implemented. The assassinations, which need to end, will also come to an end. Otherwise, it is inevitable that events will break out," Hariri said, also touching on the political crisis in the country that has been going on for months.

Saying that those who prevent the forming of the new government have prevented the implementation of reforms and deepened the economic crisis, Hariri pointed out that he would not retreat from his efforts to save Lebanon.

On Wednesday, Hariri met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss the internal problems he faces in forming a government.

Last October, Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun assigned Hariri, the leader of the Future Movement, to form the country’s new government, less than a year after Hariri’s last government resigned.

Hariri has served as premier twice, from 2009 to 2011 and from 2016 to this January.

Lebanon has not been able to form a new government since Hassan Diab's government resigned six days after a catastrophic explosion rocked the port of the capital Beirut last August, killing over 200 people.

- Assassination

On Feb. 14, 2005, Rafik Hariri was killed in a massive car bombing that targeted his convoy in Beirut.

Hariri’s son, Saad, succeeded his father later that year after winning elections.

In 2007, a Special Tribunal for Lebanon was formed to probe the elder Hariri’s assassination.

In 2011, the tribunal issued arrest warrants for four Hezbollah members suspected of involvement in the crime.

Hezbollah has refused until now to hand over the suspects.