Former Lebanese prime minister Saad Al Hariri, one of the country’s best-known politicians, indicated yesterday that his party would contest upcoming elections, four years after he stepped back from public office.
In a speech marking the 21st anniversary of the assassination of his father Rafik, who was also prime minister, Saad told supporters in Beirut that others would ‘hear our voice, and count our votes’ when elections take place.
It was unclear whether Hariri plans to run himself, although his popularity amongst Lebanon remains strong. Huge masses gathered in Beirut’s Martyrs Square waving his party’s flag and chanting his name. “You’re not a few, and you never were,” Hariri told his supporters.
Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri said on Friday that elections will be held as scheduled on May 10, despite calls from some politicians to postpone the vote, due in part to security concerns in southern Lebanon, where Israel has carried out air strikes targeting Hizbollah.
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