Rafic Hariri

Jobs
Date of birth
Nov 1, 1944
Date of death
3 أكتوبر 2005
Nationality
Place of birth
Lebanon , Beirut
Studied at
Whatever
Constellation

Biography
Rafic Hariri, born in the coastal city of Sidon, emerged as a significant figure in Lebanon’s social and political scenes following the civil war. He played a pivotal role in rebuilding Beirut, which had been ravaged by fifteen years of conflict. His economic policies, marked by privatisation and direct foreign investment, transformed Lebanon’s economic and social landscape. However, these policies, sometimes seen as aggressive, drew mixed reactions.
Hariri’s life ended abruptly in 2005, when he was assassinated near the St. George Hotel in Beirut as his convoy passed. Investigations into his death continue to this day.
Early Days
Rafic Hariri was born on November 1, 1944, in Sidon to a Sunni Muslim family, with two siblings, Shafiq and Bahia Hariri. He received his education in the city of Tyre and, after securing his secondary school certificate, pursued business administration at Beirut’s Arab University.
After graduating, Hariri moved to Saudi Arabia where he initially worked as a teacher. Shortly thereafter, he shifted his career to the construction industry. In 1969, he founded a small subsidiary contracting company called Ciconest. Later, realising its lack of success, he collaborated with the French company Oger to complete a hotel construction project in Saudi Arabia. This endeavour was the cornerstone of his future business ventures. After gaining royal support, he acquired Oger, making it the primary contracting company serving the Saudi royal family, which eventually allowed him to become a billionaire.
Achievements
After amassing a substantial fortune, Hariri initiated numerous charitable projects in Lebanon and donated significantly to victims of the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon. His political trajectory was inherently intertwined with his economic ventures. As Prime Minister, Hariri instigated monumental changes in Lebanon’s economic and social arenas.
Hariri’s diplomatic skill was instrumental in forming the Taif Agreement in 1990, ending Lebanon’s sixteen-year civil war. In 1992, he became the first Prime Minister of the post-war era, under President Elias Hrawi, and spearheaded Lebanon’s reentry into the global economic map through Eurobond issuance, fiscal policies to stabilise the currency, and securing loans for reconstruction.
By generating an attractive investment climate for international capital, Hariri simplified the tax framework and introduced various tax exemptions and low-interest loans for Lebanon. Among his key economic strategies was the Horizon 2000 project, aimed at modernising post-war Lebanon. Under this policy, he established the development unit Solidere, partially government-owned, with international and domestic investors. This unit successfully reconstructed Beirut into a modern metropolis, a testament to his enduring legacy.
However, his economic policies, including the privatisation of Lebanese industry, while achieving a 6% GDP growth between 1992 and 1993, eventually led to increased national debt, rising by 540% during his last government tenure. He returned as Prime Minister in 2000, encouraging the UN Security Council Resolution 1559, calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon.
Hariri received several accolades, notably the United Nations Global Citizen Award for his contributions to international relations.
Personal Life
Hariri married Iraqi Nidal Bustani in 1965, and together they had three children: Bahaa, Saad, and Houssam. Their marriage lasted two years, after which he married Nazik Audeh in 1976, with whom he had four children. He was born into a Muslim family.
Death
Hariri was assassinated on February 14, 2005, near the St. George Hotel in Beirut. A specialised court in Lebanon continues to investigate his assassination, marking a precedent in the history of international law.
Other
- children: whateveer
- The siblings: whatwever
- Partner / Spouse: whatever
- Father and Mother: whatever
- Wealth: 20 Billsion
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