(WASHINGTON, DC) — United States Secretary of State John Kerry honored Rafic Hariri’s legacy on Friday, just one day before the 10th anniversary of the former prime minister’s assassination on Feb. 14, 2005.
“Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, known to many as “Mr. Lebanon,” was guided by his vision of a stable, sovereign, and prosperous homeland,” Kerry said. “He spent his life working to make Lebanon more democratic, more free, more prosperous, and more secure – for all its people.”
Kerry, who expressed U.S. support to the Special Tribunal investigating Hariri’s assassination, said Hariri was killed by “some (who) feared he might succeed.”
“On behalf of President Barack Obama, I can tell you that America’s commitment to Lebanon remains as strong as ever,” he said.
“We continue to support in very practical ways Lebanon’s full sovereignty and independence from outside influence, including through our support for the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Baabda Declaration, and Lebanon’s dissociation policy from foreign conflicts.”
The secretary of state also urged Lebanese leaders to elect a president, a move he says will be a step forward.
“I urge Lebanon’s leaders not to look outside of their country for a resolution to the presidential gridlock, but instead to find a solution from within,” Kerry said. “Unless and until a president is chosen, the erosion of Lebanon’s political institutions will only become more pronounced.”
Kerry went on to indirectly attack Hezbollah, which the United States classifies as a terrorist group.
“Make no mistake: there is no justification for the retention of arms by a militia or terrorist group that answers – not to the Lebanese people – but to foreign governments in Damascus and Tehran,” he said.
VIDEO: Kerry’s message to Lebanon on the 10th Anniversary of Rafic Hariri’s Assassination: