Hariri Arrives in Beirut, Holds Separate Talks with Jumblat, Franjieh

Al-Mustaqbal Movement chief Saad Hariri arrived in Beirut on Sunday to take part in the assassination anniversary of his slain father former PM Rafik Hariri, the National News Agency reported.

The Mustaqbal chief, himself a former premier, had arrived in Beirut at dawn from his self-imposed exile in Riyadh for the occasion and is due to speak later at a memorial service that will be held at 4:30 pm in BIEL commemorating the eleventh assassination anniversary.

Hariri kicked off his first meetings with officials at the Center House where he held talks with Democratic Gathering chief MP Walid Jumblat in the presence of the latter's son, Taymour, and Nader Hariri, with the talks focusing on the latest developments.

He later met with head of the Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc Fouad Saniora in the presence of Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq, Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas, Minister of State for Administrative Development Nabil de Freige, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan, a number of lawmakers, Beirut Police chief Mohammed al-Ayoubi and other prominent figures.

Later in the day, Hariri received a phone call from Marada Movement chief MP Suleiman Franjieh, who "offered condolences over the martyrdom anniversary of his father, Rafik Hariri, and congratulated him on his safe return to Lebanon," NNA said.

Hariri had recently launched a proposal to nominate Franjieh for the presidency, which was met with objections and reservations from the country's main Christian parties as well as Hizbullah.

Rafik Hariri was killed by car bomb blast on February 14, 2005 in Beirut's seaside Ain al-Mreisseh district.