What people do not realize is this: Hariri's (and subsequently Jumblat's) rift was primarily and originally not with Syria, but with Lahhud. Hariri was frustrated that he could not push his own agendas and deals as Lahhud objected to some of Hariri's policies. So Hariri did not want Syria to support Lahhud. I was just told that Hariri asked Syria to support Lebanese member of parliament Ghattas Khuri (a tool of Hariri) as successor to Lahhud so that Hariri can achieve full control of the state. Syria, typically, insisted on Lahhud as he has proven his full loyalty to the Syrian regime.