For most, February 14 is identified with flowers and boxes of chocolates.
For the Lebanese, however, Valentine’s Day has for the last 12 years been turned instead into a sombre anniversary. On February 14 2005, popular former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated in a massive bomb attack that also killed 22 others.
Today, rather than lovey-dovey tweets and soppy posts about bae, Lebanese social media has been filled with words of sadness and mourning for a politician who united a nation.
The hashtag “Rafik until the end of road” has been trending at number one overnight.
#رفيق_لآخر_الطريق
— Mohammad Abou Hawili (@mhmdabouhawili) February 6, 2017
ما احلى الطريق لما تتزين بصور الرفيق pic.twitter.com/NVAhLHiNoy
There can be no more beautiful road than one lit up with pictures of Rafik.
Never in my entire life have I seen my father crying except on the 14th of February 2005. #رفيق_لآخر_الطريق
— Abed Khaled (@AbedCFCkhaled) February 13, 2017
I miss #Lebanon when he was there.. In the memory of the late PM #RaficHariri.. an extra ordinary leader. #رفيق_الحريري #رفيق_لآخر_الطريق
— Adele Tohme (@AdeleTohme) February 13, 2017
In Lebanon, where sectarianism dominates the political arena, Hariri had been a leader offering broad appeal. However, his death tore at already existing divides in Lebanese society, and further afield in the Middle East. This was exacerbated when, in 2014, five members of Hezbollah were indicted in absentia for his murder.
These divisions continue to prevail, something that those marking his death today are all too aware of.
After 12 years still we can't find the minimum stability in our country your loss is that huge.#رفيق_لآخر_الطريق pic.twitter.com/xXVY8OPBPg
— Elie Bou Younes (@EBYounes) February 13, 2017
For many, Hariri, who as prime minister had initiated an ambitious reconstruction program in Lebanon following its civil war, continues to represent a symbol of hope for the future:
The dream of Lebanon will always remain within us #رفيق_لاخر_الطريق @MakAishaSchoolpic.twitter.com/zODdTZmnRq
— noura (@NouraAAfifi) February 13, 2017
You will remain the ideal of the coming generations#رفيق_لاخر_الطريق
— Mohamad Salah Ossman (@OssmanMohamad) February 13, 2017
رفيق الحريري بنى الجامعات والمدارس ونشر ثقافة الحياة والانتماء للوطن اما القتلة فلم ينشروا سوى ثقافة الحقد والموت واللطم #رفيق_لآخر_الطريق
— طوني بولس (@TonyBouloss) February 13, 2017
Rafik Hariri built universities and schools, he spread a culture of life and [a sense of] belonging in [our] homeland. As for the killers, all they spread was a culture of hatred, death and aggression.
لم يكن مجرد زعيم وطني، بل كان زعيماً عربياً قاتل من أجل وضع عربي أفضل بعيداً عن الشعارات الكاذبة التي أدت الى إضاعة الحقوق #رفيق_لاخر_الطريق
— Ali Hazime (@hazime_ali) February 13, 2017
It was not just a national leader, but rather he was an Arab leader who fought for a better situation for the Arabs, distant from the false slogans which have led to the destruction of [our] rights.
Rafik’s son, Saad Hariri, is currently serving as Prime Minister for a second time, after he was appointed by President Michel Aoun in November last year. He tweeted the following from his official Twitter account last night:
#رفيق_لآخر_الطريق pic.twitter.com/5G6x01QkKs
— Saad Hariri (@saadhariri) February 13, 2017
#RafikUntilTheEndOfTheRoad
Saad's government is in the midst of a battle to implement electoral reform in the face of division over what form it should take. Lebanese parliament finally selected a President last November, following a two-year hiatus.
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