Kerry commemorates Hariri's assassination

BEIRUT: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry praised late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s vision and legacy Friday in a letter commemorating the tenth anniversary of the former Lebanese leader’s assassination.

“Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, known to many as 'Mr. Lebanon,' was guided by his vision of a stable, sovereign, and prosperous homeland,” Kerry wrote in the letter. “He spent his life working to make Lebanon more democratic, more free, more prosperous, and more secure – for all its people.”

“Ten years ago today, he was assassinated because some feared he might succeed.”

Kerry praised Hariri for helping educate Lebanese youth through scholarship programs, and for believing in peaceful change and dialogue.

Killed in a massive bombing in downtown Beirut on February 14, 2005, Rafik Hariri was the father of Future Movement leader and former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

The U.S. official expressed his country’s support to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon that is investigating Hariri’s assassination.

Writing “on behalf of President Barack Obama,” Kerry said his country backs Lebanon’s dissociation policy from foreign conflicts, which was manifested in the Baabda Declaration.

“No challenge is more perilous to Lebanon’s security than the rise of violent extremism throughout the region,” the letter said. “We are committed to helping the Lebanese Armed Forces meet this challenge, because they alone have the legitimacy to defend their country’s borders and protect their citizens.”

Kerry’s words also indirectly slammed Hezbollah, which is classified by the U.S. 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.

The secretary of state also stressed the need to elect a new Lebanese president, which he considered a step that would help the country face its current and upcoming challenges.

“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,” he added. “Unless and until a president is chosen, the erosion of Lebanon’s political institutions will only become more pronounced.”