Rafic Hariri, Lebanon's Former Prime Minister

Place and Date of Birth: Born in Sidon, Lebanon, on November 1, 1944; Son of Bahaeddine Hariri.
Sect: Sunnite
Marital status: Married to Nazek Audi with 7 children.
Education: Received Primary and Secondary schooling in Sidon. Obtained his Tawjihiyyah degree (equivalnet to high school) in Egypt. Joined the Beirut Arab University, but had to cut short his education (accounting major)  for financial reasons, and traveled to Saudi Arabia.
Professional Background: Businessman, owner of several international companies including Saudi OGER (Saudi Arabia). Commenced his life as a worker in Sidon's Orange and apple farms. Worked as an accountant in Dar Al Sayyad in Beirut, where he also helped in proof reading the paper in the evening. He then travelled to Saudi Arabia where he worked as an Arabic teacher. He also worked as part-time accountant. From there on, Hariri directed his ambition to construction work and achieved great success, which, in a recent interview with Future TV, said he owes it all to 'integrity'.
Political background: King Fahed’s personal emissary to Lebanon in the 1980’s, mediated between Lebanese militias during the 1983 Geneva and 1984 Lebanese reconciliation conferences, and between president Gemayel and Syria upon the signature of the tripartite agreement in 1985.
Political Career: Elected deputy on September 1, 1996; reelected in 2000. Formed five cabinets: The first from October 31, 1992 to May 25, 1995; the second from May 25, 1995 to November 6, 1996; the third from November 7, 1996 to December 3, 1998; the fourth form October 26, 2000 to April 15, 2003; and the fifth from April 17, 2003 to October 26, 2004.
Assassination: Lebanon's five-time prime minister and billionaire tycoon Rafiq Hariri was assassinated in a huge bomb blast in Beirut Monday, February 14, 2005, that stoked fears of fresh sectarian strife 15 years after the end of the civil war. Lebanon's anti-Syrian opposition quickly blamed the governments in Beirut and Damascus of responsibility for the assassination of Hariri, who was killed along with at least 18 other people when the explosion ripped through his motorcade.The toll included Hariri and seven of his bodyguards. About 100 people were also wounded in the blast that left a trail of carnage and devastation in a busy seafront area in scenes reminiscent of the 1975-1990 war. The attack plunged Lebanon into grief and raised worries about the stability of the country, which is treading a delicate path between its Sunni, Shiite and Christian communities. It came at a time of high political tension in Lebanon and international pressure over Syria's role in the country, just a few months before legislative elections are due to be held.
Political Status: Former President of the Council of Ministers, Parliament Member representing Beirut District One Constituency.
Philanthropic Activities: Founded philanthropic, humanitarian and educational foundations in Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia to provide educational and medical assistance to the needy.
Contact Information: Residence: Qoraytem, Beiurt, Lebanon - Tel: Residence: 961 (1) 860662/3 - 961 (1) 785010/11; Office: 961 (1) 865704/5; Fax: 931 (1) 785014.

Related Articles
• Hariri: the 'martyred' billionaire and father of new Lebanon
• Hariri: From rags to riches to political power
• Hariri laid to rest in crush of mourners as Lebanon fears for future
• Obituary: Rafik Hariri - BBC
• Obitiuary: Rafik al-Hariri - Telegraph
• Onituary: Rafik Hariri - Guardian
• Lebanon's bloody history of political assassinations
• Key dates in Lebanon since Hariri first became PM

Home Page:http://www.rhariri.com/
Email: rhoffice@cyberia.net.lb

Related Links:
• Rafik Hariri: Billionaire politician - biography from BBC News
• Biography from official web site
• Hariri Foundation