Iftar with Rafik Hariri (1944-2005)

By JULIETTE ROSSANT I was very saddened to hear of the death of Rafik Hariri this morning. When last I was in Beirut, I called Rafik Hariri's office to arrange for a face-to-face meeting for that year's Billionaires List profile in Forbes. His appointment secretary suggested I come by his mansion in the late afternoon. When I arrived, I was taken downstairs to a huge dining room that was slowly filling with some 500 or so invitees to that evening's iftar meal (the breaking of the fast). The secretary explained that the then-Prime Minister paid for all personally, like any Muslim does who can, inviting both Beirut's poor and rich to his table each night of iftar. Hariri himself was gracious and full of anecdotes of setting up Solidere (click here to see the masterplan) and his passion for rebuilding downtown Beirut. I met his sister and talked about the Hariri Foundation and the family's dedication to educating Lebanon's young, sending them for education in the West and serving medical needs with clinics across the country. Years later I called on his son Saad in Jeddah, and he was equally gracious and informed. The whole family was proud of their charitable works and hopeful for the future of Lebanon. Suggested articles: Hariri's assasination: shock and anger by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Analysis: U.S. targets Syria by Richard Tompkins (UPI) Hariri buried in emotional ceremony by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Winds of change blow in Lebanon by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Analysis: An end Syrian influence in Lebanon? by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Lebanon faces new government battle by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Analysis: A pledge of Lebanese unity? by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Analysis: Fear of militia comeback in Lebanon? by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Beirut returning to normal by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Analysis: Syrian pullout opens new chapter by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Aoun's return revive Christians hopes by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Analysis: Lebanon poll unites ex-rivals by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Analysis: Hezbollah wins support by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Lebanon: a new emerging Christian power by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Lebanese Vote Stings Anti-Syrian Forces by Nora Boustany (Washington Post) Analysis: a killing plot in Lebanon? by Dalal Saoud (UPI) Previous articles: Catch me on C-SPAN today at noon (ET) (Click here if you have RealOne to watch Juliette Rossant on C-SPAN to discuss Islamic charity) Related articles: See Forbes: Billionaires in the Middle East at www.julietterossant.com for profiles 1995-2001