The legacy of the late Rafik Hariri is naturally in the national spotlight one decade after his untimely death. He was a giant figure, and even many of his political rivals have concluded that history is likely to focus on Hariri’s considerable achievements, which represented the vision of a man who was truly ahead of his time.
Some of Hariri’s plans for the reconstruction of Lebanon after the Civil War were dismissed as overly ambitious. His dream of seeing an airport that could accommodate 6 million travelers a year was derided by some people, while today there are people who would like to see this facility expanded and the country’s economy invigorated to attract even more visitors and tourists.
Some of Hariri’s rivals would also criticize him for spending too much time on rebuilding the physical infrastructure of a devastated capital, when in fact one of his enduring legacies involves helping people to better themselves. Hariri believed in Lebanon during the darkest days of the Civil War and began offering invaluable assistance for a generation of Lebanese to pursue their education at various levels. And during the darkest days of the period of Syrian tutelage after the war, Hariri could have put his personal safety first, abandoned Lebanon and relocated abroad with his family.
Throughout the many chapters of Hariri’s involvement in public affairs, he was a tireless promoter of the country on the international stage. He was criticized for having a travel schedule that was too heavy – today, there are many politicians who would be overjoyed to see Lebanon command the attention of the international community the way it did when Hariri was prime minister.
Significantly, Hariri’s tireless efforts covered the topic of the Israeli occupation and the right of the Lebanese to resist this state of affairs. In case anyone needs reminding, Hariri was instrumental in securing the first such international recognition of the right of resistance in the wake of the 1996 Israeli offensive against Lebanon.
It’s easy to forget that Hariri forged strong links with groups who considered him a dangerous rival, and his relationship with the resistance only demonstrated how dedicated he was to putting the national interest above all other considerations.
A simple way to consider the man’s legacy is the following: Lebanon in the 1960s entered the world’s consciousness thanks to its vibrant artistic and cultural scene, and its nightlife and tourism sector. But a number of figures were responsible for this pre-Civil War heyday.
After the war, only one person was truly responsible for putting Lebanon on the world map once again, and that person was Rafik Hariri.
As for today, at a time in which Lebanon faces a number of challenges, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri is relying on the legacy of his father to shape policies that will also be based on the notion that the national interest must always come first.