The scene at the tomb yesterday, during the commemoration of February 14, was striking. It demonstrated that Saad Hariri's status in the Sunni arena is still "unique." The leader of the Future Movement played it smart by letting people speak, chant, and take "selfies," as if it were a new "pledge of allegiance," signaling to both domestic and foreign audiences, "I am here." The spectacle at the tomb proved that Hariri is indeed still here, among his supporters and admirers, who felt disappointed by his suspension or retirement from politics, leading some to abandon him, and others to withdraw. However, his affection among the people seemed unchanged. The evidence is that no one has been able to claim his parliamentary representation and popularity. He was not finished by the ballot boxes, and his presence remains, reminiscent of Rafik Hariri, in the public conscience and the political game. Sunni MPs appear unable, so far, to fill the void. The Dar al-Fatwa, which occasionally moves to unify and gather voices, has not turned into a real alternative to the original.
Saad Hariri's "alienation" could be a genuine opportunity for a new reading of the Lebanese reality and future choices, meaning "tomorrow," just as future choices could indicate the need for the blue movement itself to undergo sifting and renewal. By the time this article is published, Saad Hariri will have packed his bags to return to his residence in the Emirates, but he will not leave Lebanon, in both the political and popular senses, as long as there are still those waiting for him to emerge "someday," after a year or two, or perhaps in the next parliamentary elections, to say, "I am back to win a parliamentary seat and more... so get ready."
