Outstanding Lebanese statesman and sociopolitical figure, friend of Russia, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri made a significant personal contribution to the strengthening and development of Russian-Lebanese friendly relations. The Russian MFA issued a statement on Tuesday in memory of Hariri.
The diplomatic office reminded that February 14 marks the 18th anniversary of the death of Hariri and a number of his associates in a terrorist attack in Beirut. "Rafic Hariri played an important role in achieving the Taif Agreement, which ended the bloody and destructive civil war in Lebanon from 1975-1990. As a true patriot, he gave all his strength and energy to rebuild the homeland in the post-war period. Rafic Hariri visited Russia many times and made a significant personal contribution to the strengthening and development of Russian-Lebanese friendly relations," the Russian MFA said in its statement.
The ministry noted that the death of one of the most popular and respected leaders of the Lebanese people in modern history was a huge, irreparable loss for Lebanon and its friends around the world.
Rafic Hariri served as Lebanon's Prime Minister from 1992-1998 and 2000-2004. On February 14, 2005, he was seriously wounded and later died at the American Hospital in Beirut. Twenty-one people died with him in the attack.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS