Beirut victory lifts gloom from Hariri family

BEIRUT - Crowds that three months ago gathered to mourn the killing of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri returned amid songs and fireworks yesterday to celebrate his son's sweeping victory in Beirut general elections.

A candidate list led by Saad al-Hariri won all 19 seats up for grabs in the first round of elections in the capital, lifting the gloom from the family villa where crowds gathered dancing and waving Lebanese flags.

"I am happy but my happiness is mixed with sadness," said Joumana Tabbara, a housewife, tears trickling down her cheeks.

"I stood in this spot five years ago when his father won the last election. We were so happy then. This time our happiness is incomplete because someone very dear is missing."

Hariri's assassination in a February 14 bombing outraged Lebanese and brought hundreds of thousands onto the streets of Beirut to protest against the Syrians many blamed.

Those protests united Christians, Sunni Muslims and Druze into a formidable alliance that forced Damascus to bow to international pressure and end its 29-year military presence in Lebanon last month.

On Sunday, Lebanese voted in the first polls since Syrian forces pulled out of Lebanon, with Hariri's list winning nine seats before a single ballot was cast due to lack of challengers.

But with little competition and a boycott by the main Armenian Tashnag Party and supporters of Christian leader Michel Aoun, a staunch critic of Syria, few people turned out.

Waving flags and beating drums, hundreds of Lebanese gathered outside the Hariri home as results trickled in, showered with rice and confetti from neighbouring balconies.

"Today was a victory for national unity," Hariri told the crowd while flanked by two Christian candidates. "This is a victory for Rafik al-Hariri. Today, Beirut showed its loyalty to Rafik al-Hariri."

Thousands of jubilant supporters drove through the streets of the capital, honking car horns and flying Lebanese flags as fireworks lit the night sky above Beirut's centre, rebuilt by the slain Hariri from the ruins of the 1975-1990 civil war.

Hariri, 35, is a billionaire businessman thrust into politics by the killing of his father, whose supporters see as a symbol of Lebanon's reconstruction but whose critics accuse of corruption and blame for a $34 billion public debt.

Ecstatic supporters said they hoped Saad al-Hariri would continue his father's legacy.

Hariri's widow, son and newly elected candidates visited his grave in downtown Beirut after declaring victory.

"Today, I am happy but sad at the same time," said Rima Sharif, waving a Lebanese flag outside the Hariri home.

"It was a relief to know Saad had won but it also reminded us how much we miss his father and what a big gap his absence has left in our hearts."

- REUTERS