Waving the pale-blue flags of Saad Hariri’s political party the Future Movement, the crowd clapped and cheered as he paid his respects at his father’s tomb Hariri, who returned to Beirut on Sunday ahead of the anniversary, is still considered the country’s main Sunni Muslim leader BEIRUT: Public and private institutions throughout Lebanon on Wednesday closed to mark the 19th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Thousands of supporters of the late PM’s Future Movement from Beirut, Bekaa, and northern and southern Lebanon gathered at Hariri’s tomb in downtown Beirut to meet his son and ex-Lebanon premier Saad. Crowds carrying Lebanese flags, Future Movement banners, and pictures of the former leaders, called for Saad Hariri — who arrived in the capital two days earlier for the memorial event — to return to Lebanon’s political arena two years after he moved to the UAE. Access to Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square was blocked by traffic congestion as security forces marshalled the crowd which included representatives of several Lebanese political parties and parliamentary blocs. Hariri arrived at his father’s tomb to cheers from his supporters and was accompanied by his aunt and former MP Bahia Hariri, and uncle Chafik Hariri. They all recited the Qur’anic verses before Saad Hariri broke with security protocols to shake hands with supporters, despite heavy rain. Speaking to journalists, he said: “Preserve the country. The pulse of the country is here, preserve it. Everything happens at the right time.” Followed by some of the crowd, he then left for his nearby home to meet with political figures and supporters. He thanked “those who came to mark the 19th anniversary of the assassination of Rafik Hariri, who had a project for the future of this country and its people.” And he added: “I will remain with you and by your side no matter where I am. At the end, and as the saying goes, everything happens at the right time, and Saad Hariri doesn’t leave the people. “Tell everyone that you have returned to the arena, and that without you, things can’t work out in this country. The pulse of the country is here. Preserve the pulse, preserve the country. We are together and I am by your side.” In a post on X, Rafik Hariri’s eldest son, Bahaa, said: “With a heavy heart, we commemorate the anniversary of Rafik Hariri’s assassination. This giant with a big heart who had infinite dreams for a country that has been divided and ruined by filthy hands for decades. “He started by ending the civil war in Lebanon through the Taif Agreement, a fundamental pillar of the Lebanese political system. “He also had a vision for the future of the Lebanese people who deserve a dignified, prosperous, and decent life, as well as state institutions that must be built on the foundations of justice, equality, transparency, and integrity.” Also in a post on X, Samy Gemayel, head of the Kataeb Party, said: “Justice remains incomplete on the 19th anniversary of February’s crime that led to the death of Rafik Hariri, minister Bassel Fleihan, and 20 other victims, and wounded over 100 people. “Despite the judgments of the international tribunal that condemned the criminals and evidently confirmed Hezbollah’s involvement in the case, the murderers continue to be protected by Hezbollah which stands in the way of the truth and holds the country captive with its destructive totalitarian policies.” Tony Frangieh, son of former minister and Hezbollah’s presidential candidate Suleiman Frangieh, said that Lebanon “lacks visionary statesmen who work for the prosperity of the country, similar to Rafik Hariri. “Moderation and openness remain the cornerstone for Lebanon’s salvation and survival.”