Deputy PM Issam Fares interview on CNN
14/2/2005


• What is going to be the effect of the loss of Rafic Hariri on the political spectrum in Lebanon?

Thank you Micheal, it’s a big loss, it’s a big loss for Lebanon, it’s a big loss for the region, it’s a big loss for the whole world.
Rafic Hariri has been a pioneer for stopping the war in Lebanon. He was really monitoring the Taif agreement all along. He is the master of rebuilding Lebanon.
I’ve known him half of my life and worked with him in politics in the council of ministers and in the parliament; first for four years and in the parliament for 8 years and a half. He is a great big loss.
This is a plot on Lebanon, it is not only a plot on Rafic Hariri, it’s a plot on Lebanon, on the region and on all successful people in the world who pioneer to serve their country.

• Tell me something: Who stands to gain from his assassination?

Time will show. Time will show. Unfortunately it is too early to make a judgment. But always the finger should point to whoever will gain from the crime?

• There has already been a speculation about a Syrian involvement; Syria rejects this, what is your feeling on this? Your comments on this story about Syrian involvement which started to circulate?

I am surprised at these accusations. PM Rafic Hariri has always been an ally to Syria. He has always gone publicly and privately in supporting whatever their policies are in Lebanon.
PM Hariri is a big ally to Syria. Syria has always been warning from plots to destabilize the security of the country and we also did. I have really in the UN when I represented Lebanon, I had an interview with CNN, not with you Michael, and I really warned from plots on Lebanon.

• So, there is a lot of political bribery in Lebanon, at the moment, not on all together. The public reaction has already been very emotional to the loss of Rafic Hariri. There is also a talk of fears of perhaps the civil war resuming. Is there a real fear from your own perspective?


We met this afternoon, the higher military council, I was there. The Council of Ministers also met. We took real measures. We had been through some terrible experience in our country, we suffered a lot, our country suffered a lot, every body is conscious not to return to war. Unfortunately we are at the eve of elections and elections every where in the world sometimes generate troubles. There are polling problems but we are very serious not to allow any troubles. The Council of Ministers took some real measures and formed a committee chaired by me, high level committee to really do everything possible to stop any negative consequences to the assassination of PM Hariri.

• They took extraordinary security measures and once he had been warned that his security was at risk, he himself had his own fear. Whom did he fear?

Well, you know every politician sometimes take these measures, especially when he can afford it. I am sure you know that head of states everywhere in the world, take these measures. But nobody necessarily fears anything in particular. But Mr. Hariri always feared from the destabilation of the country. he is a world-wide figure. He is always been the master of rebuilding Lebanon and if any plots are made on Lebanon he would be a target. The whole region is in turmoil as you know, and you know we were proud to say Lebanon has been really stable and law and order prevails.
This year, we really regained our financial stability more or less, but also we were proud in saying we are the most secured country not only in the region, but also in the world. And unfortunately, you know, we had been subject to plots before but hopefully now and especially the Lebanese and the whole region realize that we can’t afford it anymore.

• All right, I want to thank you Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares, who is joining on the line from Beirut.