Naharnet

Geagea, Hariri Commemorate 'Man of Dialogue' Shatah on First Anniversary of his Assassination

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri hailed on Saturday former Minister Mohammed Shatah on the first anniversary of his assassination as a figure of moderation and dialogue.

Geagea said during a press conference on the occasion: “We miss your wisdom, nationalism, and moderation during a time when we are most in need of them.”

“It is true that you were taken away from us before your time, but you will remain a symbol of nationalism, moderation, and openness,” he stressed.

“You are an example to those seeking justice and freedom,” he declared.

“The anniversary of your assassination will not be a passing memory,” stressed Geagea.

“The pain of the memory is exacerbated by the poor conditions we are living through today,” he remarked

“We will not despair however and we will not rest until all the goals that Shatah and the martyrs of the Cedar Revolution are achieved,” vowed the LF leader.

For his part, Hariri said in a statement that the criminals behind Shatah's murder “struck a target that cannot be replaced.”

“His death was a painful blow to me personally and created a great void in our national and political path,” he noted.

“Several of us did not believe that such a dialogue-minded figure would be the target of a criminal blast,” he added.

“In his loss, we miss a vital symbol of dialogue and perseverance against despair,” stressed the former premier.

Shatah was killed in a bombing in downtown Beirut on December 27, 2013.

Hariri had accused in the wake of the blast the criminals as being the same ones who assassinated his father, former PM Rafik Hariri, on February 14, 2005.

The Special Tribunal for Lebanon tackling the 2005 murder has accused five Hizbullah members of being behind the crime.

M.T.

D.A.


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