"This was quite remarkable for someone like Rafic Hariri, known as an energetic builder and
certainly not as a keen fan of preservation. But Hariri was not only a builder as the restored
souks of Beirut, the highways, the airport and so many other public works testify. By the
time I had joined his cabinet, he had mutated into an accomplished statesman,
knowledgeable of the intricacies of domestic politics, sensitive to public opinion, unbeatable
on the richness and contradictions of our national legislation and, last but not least, an
influential player in regional and international politics. I was a latecomer to his inner circle
but I was to benefit from his trust and friendship, despite hours and hours of discussions
about regional and world politics where we did not always see eye to eye. But, at least by
the time I became his minister, he was an accomplished champion of conversation and an
astute, patient and witty party to dialogue." You read this and think that "restored" Beirut with his own money and with his own hands. (thanks "Ibn Rushd")
certainly not as a keen fan of preservation. But Hariri was not only a builder as the restored
souks of Beirut, the highways, the airport and so many other public works testify. By the
time I had joined his cabinet, he had mutated into an accomplished statesman,
knowledgeable of the intricacies of domestic politics, sensitive to public opinion, unbeatable
on the richness and contradictions of our national legislation and, last but not least, an
influential player in regional and international politics. I was a latecomer to his inner circle
but I was to benefit from his trust and friendship, despite hours and hours of discussions
about regional and world politics where we did not always see eye to eye. But, at least by
the time I became his minister, he was an accomplished champion of conversation and an
astute, patient and witty party to dialogue." You read this and think that "restored" Beirut with his own money and with his own hands. (thanks "Ibn Rushd")
