Saad Al-Hariri

Saad Al-Hariri stands as one of Lebanon’s key political figures, having taken the reins of the Future Movement following the assassination of his father, the late Prime Minister Rafic Al-Hariri. Ascending to national leadership at a turbulent time, Saad has been an influential voice in Lebanese politics, serving multiple terms as Prime Minister. Balancing powerful regional and international relations, he played an integral role in transitioning Lebanon through significant political upheavals in recent decades, including facilitating the establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon investigating his father’s murder, contributing to the landmark Doha Agreement of 2008, and guiding the nation after years of crisis and political stagnation.

His photo with President Barack Obama led directly to his government’s downfall in January 2011.

Born on April 18, 1970, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saad Al-Hariri is the son of Rafic Al-Hariri, an influential Lebanese-Saudi businessman who also served as Prime Minister of Lebanon. Raised between Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and France, Saad completed his early education at the Frères Maristes school near Sidon, later receiving his secondary education in France and Saudi Arabia before attending Georgetown University. He graduated in 1992 with a degree in Business Administration, preparing him for the responsibilities that loomed ahead.

– He’s listed among the world’s wealthiest individuals due to the inheritance from his father after the latter’s assassination.
– Saad greatly expanded the family business through a successful acquisition of Turk Telecom.
– After his government’s collapse in 2011, Saad spent significant time outside Lebanon due to security concerns.

– He’s listed among the world’s wealthiest individuals due to the inheritance from his father after the latter’s assassination.

– Saad greatly expanded the family business through a successful acquisition of Turk Telecom.

– After his government’s collapse in 2011, Saad spent significant time outside Lebanon due to security concerns.

Starting in his family firm, Saudi Oger, Saad rapidly progressed and, at age 26, became its General Manager, overseeing major construction and telecom ventures across Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

His political career began dramatically following the February 14, 2005 assassination of Rafic Al-Hariri. Initially reluctant, Saad eventually established himself as the head of the Future Movement, spearheading the historic March 14 Alliance which played a crucial role in ending Syria’s long-standing influence in Lebanon. Rather than immediately accepting prime ministership, he first supported Fouad Siniora, determined to enhance his political skills and experience.

In 2007, Saad helped secure a historic UN-backed Special Tribunal for investigating his father’s assassination. He also contributed significantly to resolving Lebanon’s 2008 political crisis resulting in the landmark Doha Accord.

Elected Prime Minister for the first time in 2009, he meticulously formed a national unity government after intense negotiations. Although his initial tenure faced collapse in 2011, Al-Hariri returned prominently in 2016 under a political compromise that balanced Michel Aoun’s presidency with Hariri’s premiership.

His shocking resignation announcement from Riyadh in November 2017 created widespread turmoil. Speculation over the circumstances prompted diplomatic intervention to ensure his safe return to Lebanon, where he later withdrew his resignation, maintaining political stability.

In 2018, despite losing parliamentary seats, Hariri was again tasked with forming a government, exemplifying his ongoing central role in Lebanon’s complex politics.