She wanted to stay with him until the end of their lives but the life of “Rafik” (Arabic for companion) was short lived. A treacherous hand took him away while he was at the prime of his political, economical and fatherly giving; while he was at the prime of his love with the “rafikah” of his journey.
The big man — together with everything that he represented in terms of his Arab and world political status — and lady Nazek, a humanitarian and kind woman, were love birds who adored each other. After Rafik Hariri’s assassination she was left alone to live through the tragedy that had hit her, her family and their beloved country.
Hia Magazine exclusively interviews Nazek Hariri, her first interview in an Arabic publication after the assassination of her husband.
Nazek speaks about the state of her family and her endurance after their loss. Her only wish was to be by his side till the end of their lives. Nazek now tries filling his irreplaceable absence.
Since Lebanon’s latest painful ordeal, we have seen the “I love You, Lebanon” campaign in which a number of different figures from many areas have participated. How do you evaluate the campaign and view its achievements? Frankly, I don’t consider the campaign to be an end in itself but an effort to be added to all others for the sake of reconstruction. The campaign holds an idea that stays alive with each passing day. The love of Lebanon is the patriotism of the Lebanese people. It is also allied to the love of family and friends — and their solid loyal value to their country.
What about the participation of the ‘martyr’ president Rafik Hariri’s family? The participation of his family, be it during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon or in the reconstruction of the country, is a patriotic one that is one with all other such patriotic efforts.
What can you say in the absence of President Hariri? I can only say to the Lebanese people for whom he died that our precious martyr Rafik Hariri taught us that whoever shares our patriotic love must believe in its development and also that Lebanon is a beautiful homeland.
And that a strong and modern country is built upon the pillar of noble values.
Today you live in Paris on an almost permanent basis. How would you describe your life there in the void left by the president’s death? I may be living in France in the meantime but the hours of my days are all spent in Beirut with my small nation of ‘big’ people.
All my interests here are an extension of my interests there. And since the death of the president, I’ve no cause except getting to the truth of the conspiracy behind his assassination.
With that truth, there will come the nation’s legacy which he left — of independence, freedom and democracy.
Why have you chosen to live outside your country? And how long will you remain there? I chose to live in France because it is full of memories of earlier happier times that we enjoyed when we lived in the shadow of our martyr. As for how long I will remain here, that is until safety returns to Lebanon and there is no threat from terrorism.
To what extent do you feel a sense of belonging in France, especially in view of the solid connection linking you with Chirac? There are strong ties between us and the Chirac family; the ties were especially strong between my husband and Jacques Chirac. Of course this contributes to our sense of belonging to France. Perhaps it is not out of place to note the special affection which also exists between the French and the Lebanese people.
And we feel all of this during our temporary stay in Paris.
How do you view the investigations into the assassination? International investigation is the way to reach the truth. For me there is pain in seeing the difference between the horrible speed of the assassination and the depressing slowness in reaching the truth. Patience is required in these circumstances until God’s will is manifested in punishing the criminals.
How do you see today’s general situation in Lebanon? I’m optimistic about Lebanon’s future despite all the current stalling.
The saying that there’s no turning back is true and dialogue is taking place among Lebanese leaders, no matter how wide the differences between them. As for Israel’s terrorist policy by air, sea and land in Lebanon, it can only end in failure because its policy is hostile from the start toward both Lebanon and Palestine.
What do you remember most about the president? What do you miss about him the most? That is a question hard on the mind and senses. His presence is what I miss. Memories are but rays for what his presence was between us.
Was there anything with the president that you wanted but which you never did? I wanted to be with him. And I wanted nothing to separate us until the ends of our lives. I didn’t want to do anything. I just wanted to be by his side; that would have been enough.
Is there something we don’t know about the president, that you would like to share with us? Undoubtedly you all know how he loved his family and friends and those around him. But what you may not know is that he didn’t know how to hate — even those who hated him or who were his enemies or who did him wrong.
What was the message you gave to your children after the loss of their father? “Your father is your role model and your unity is the family’s reassurance and its pride” — that is the message I gave to my children after we lost our family’s head and reference. And I made sure it reached every individual.
Was there anything the president used to tell his children? What he used to say to us always was: “The nation’s rights are our responsibility and its rights come first, before any of us.”
As a mother, do you feel that you can compensate your children for the loss of their father? He is gone but my love for him remains forever. I need someone to help me with some of the burdens. And no matter how old our children, it is my duty to fill in for the terrible loss. I say this knowing that no matter what I do, I won’t be able to diminish the loss but I have to try, for the sake of our children and myself.
Do you consider charity and social work a mission you will continue as you used to? It isn’t just social and charity work but also patriotic work that I will continue doing.
Today we are reviewing the priorities of our nationalistic work with all its extensions culturally, health-wise and historically so that our future achievements will be something to be proud of and which will make us hold our heads high.
Don’t you ever think of political work? No. We are working politically and patriotically.
If you mean a political symbol at the level of leadership, then we’ve chosen our son Saad and we are united with him for better or worse.
