Daryan Says No to Despair, Urges Coexistence on Hariri's 10th Murder Anniversary

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan visited on Friday the grave of ex-PM Rafik Hariri in downtown Beirut from where he urged the Lebanese to hold onto the state and coexistence.

The 10th anniversary of Hariri's assassination comes in the absence of a president, Daryan said in a statement he read to reporters near al-Amin Mosque.

Parliament's tenure was extended twice and there are security issues as a result of the civil war raging in Syria, he said.

“But we should not despair and should hold onto the state, the nation and coexistence,” he added.

Daryan praised Hariri for working for more than 20 years to build a better future.

“Hariri focused on education and reconstruction and worked to improve the functioning of state institutions,” he said.

The former premier “made large steps that were welcomed by the majority of the Lebanese,” Daryan added.

His son, al-Mustaqbal movement leader former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, is expected to deliver a long speech during a rally commemorating his slain father on Saturday.

There are conflicting reports on whether he would attend the rally or address it via video link.

Hariri the father was assassinated 10 years ago in a massive explosion that tore through his convoy on the Beirut seaside.

Five Hizbullah suspects are being tried in absentia by the Special Tribunal for Lebanon based in The Hague.

G.K.

H.K.