The political wheel is set in motion for Bahaa Hariri, who arrives in Beirut today. This marks his fourth attempt to step into the political arena as the son of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, following failed experiences, poor choices, and unwise advisors who fattened their pockets at his expense, damaging his public image. Despite numerous setbacks, he still dreams of reclaiming the "stolen legacy." His address to followers with "Oh, people" still stings him, having believed he was the natural heir before the "meal was snatched from his mouth" at the gates of the royal palace, with his younger brother, Saad, being "crowned" on the threshold of the Élysée Palace. The shock was repeated 12 years later when Saad was detained in Riyadh, and Bahaa's stocks rose within Saudi decision-making circles before the Hariri family dashed his hopes for a political alliance.
Disappointments kept him away from the scene for years, until he saw an opportunity to reclaim lost leadership with the outbreak of popular protests in 2019 and his brother's resignation from the premiership, followed by his retreat. Swiftly, he "surfed" the public's disillusionment with the political establishment, presenting himself as the clean-handed Hariri son, untouched by authority or political deals. This led to an open rift between the brothers after years of communication breakdown, "liberating" the eldest son from the brotherhood era and allowing him to venture further with his positions, aiming to seize Al-Mustaqbal Movement, which had faced financial, political, and popular defeats over the years.
His "spirit" returned to Beirut, although he physically absent himself due to purported "security concerns," hoping to draw crowds from a family that suffered the tragic assassination of its patriarch. However, this did not help him, and he failed to gather supporters as Saad's substantial presence persisted, despite his absence. Matters worsened with the arrival of "his angels" instead, raising many questions around the choice of names like Jerry Maher and Nabil Halabi. These advisors have connections extending from Syria (Al-Nusra Front) to the UAE, passing through the UK, all the way to the Zionist entity! However, the ousting of these advisors seemed more a result of Bahaa learning from his mistakes, but rather highlighted his poor relationship with staff who described his bad mood, outbursts, complex personality, and lack of leadership traits; the list of those ousted is long, starting with Jamal Aytani, Jamil Bayram, and ending with Saeed Sanadiqi, Alan Badaro, and Rabi' Al-Ghosh... This recurring crisis within his team surfaced whenever he contemplated taking a step towards Beirut.
His experience in parliamentary elections serves as evidence of his lack of endurance: motivated by enthusiasm, he engaged in the battle, dragging some candidates to form lists and spending about 3 million dollars but ultimately turned off his phone and returned to Monte Carlo, leaving behind those demanding financial rights and others who exploited him. Nonetheless, Hariri learned nothing from this electoral experience, quickly becoming preoccupied with a "dream of Larnaca." With finances not being an obstacle, he booked dozens of private jets and hotels, "pulling" crowds to Cyprus, only to return home disappointed.
Today marks Bahaa's fourth attempt to enter the political arena. Initially, his team tried to persuade him to return after public surveys in the Sunni community indicated that the audience needed "a man with Arab and international connections, untainted by power and corruption, possessing wealth." Thus, they hinted that "there is no one in the field except Hadeedan," but the anxiety of public meetings frightened him, causing him to reconsider, until the mourning ceremonies for the husband of his aunt, Bahiyah Hariri, turned everything upside down. His encounter with the people of Sidon, where he grew up, and their eagerness during the condolence offered him a glimpse of hope, leading him to believe the time for "Oh, people" was near.
Preparations began swiftly as his team met with figures in Beirut and regions to agree on long meetings that Hariri would attend. After being convinced to buy a home for symbolic reasons in Beirut, not confining his stay to hotels, his enthusiasm led him to propose purchasing multiple homes across the city and other regions!
In appearance, the eldest son of Rafik Hariri seems changed. His choice of teamwork this time was not random. He selected two men with extensive professional backgrounds and social standing: Riyad Al-Sheikha, the former Director-General of Youth and Sports Facilities in Lebanon, and Najib Abu Mar'i, the former coordinator of labor and agricultural unions in Al-Mustaqbal Movement, boasting a long professional journey at the Mediterranean Bank.
Al-Sheikha and Abu Mar'i managed to open the doors to "Al-Mustaqbal" for the Lebanese billionaire, who desired youth to be the target sector. Along the way, they "snuck" into several old Mustaqbalians, including Khaled Al-Hajj, former universities and student affairs head, before retracting under pressure to "burn their papers" with the support of a defeated man without a political vision. However, both did not raise "the white flag" but instead reached out to many political and social figures and "disgruntled" individuals from the performance of "the Mustaqbalians," leading even fishermen from Ain Al-Mraiseh harbor who refused to express their opinion until seeing results with their own eyes.
From Beirut, the team moved to the regions, with eyes set on the north, the stronghold of the "blue movement," where Bahaa Hariri has a "friend" who lent him support during the 2016 municipal elections: MP Ashraf Rifi. Rifi, like Bahaa, seeks a chance to avenge Saad and aligns with him against Hezbollah. "A boon for the pie," made Rifi work tirelessly to ensure meetings between Bahaa's team and northern figures at "Miramar Resort" in preparation for the extensive Hariri meetings, planned to start soon.
All these preparations left close aides of Bahaa hopeful that success was guaranteed this time, as "the people want to hear Bahaa and be heard." In their view, their "leader" had been wronged over the past years, with media campaigns against him harming his image as he dreams of reviving his father's journey. Therefore, the process of correcting options and presenting his political and economic vision would commence. These supporters understand that the mission is difficult amid a war on the ground and in the media waged by officials of "the movement," who are apprehensive about the visit.
Saad: Leave Bahaa Alone
This fear is evident on the faces of "Mustaqbalians" who are tracking the details of the preparatory meetings, although they believe that the "sheikh" will not change: a rigid personality with zero political experience highlighted by the failures of his previous attempts and poor choices, leading to a decline in public turnout. They are convinced that the absence of charisma and populist rhetoric without a clear vision, combined with the lack of Arab and international support, will not make him a competing partner in the "blue plate" nor a leader who arrives in injury time, especially since the criticisms he directs at his younger brother's financial and political defeats also reflect back on him.
Saad Hariri requested that no reactions be made regarding the visit, opting to let events take their fateful course towards inevitable failure. Therefore, information suggests that Saad Hariri informed his aides not to react to the visit and to allow things to succumb to their fate, as he believes it is bound to fail, especially after hearing of a lack of public responsiveness to calls for meetings with Bahaa and the likelihood of low attendance.
On the contrary, close aides of the eldest son remain optimistic and urge waiting for his public encounters, which will span 20 days, starting tomorrow at the "Venice" hotel in Beirut (for 3 days), followed by "Miramar Resort" in the north (2 days), then Minieh (2 days) and Dhoniyeh (2 days), to be followed by Akkar (4 days). After northern visits, Bahaa will travel to Bekaa (3 days), then the coast of Eqlim Al-Kharoub (2 days), finishing in Sidon (2 days). Bahaa will conclude his visit with a press conference announcing his vision and program. These meetings will not include any engagements with political or official figures.
Information indicates that Bahaa will return to Monaco after this series to begin remote meetings with his team to assess the outcomes of his public encounters and the reactions surrounding them and to finalize preparations for launching the "Al-Masar Movement," which he will head.
"The Sheikh of the Brits"?
Some are betting on Bahaa Hariri's upcoming potential to fill the Sunni street void as he travels from Monaco to Beirut, while others are convinced that the man will leave as he came, with yet another defeat added to his list of disappointments—especially since Rafik Hariri’s eldest son does not enjoy Arab or Western attention. He has not cultivated international relationships to rely on during "dark days." Even the financial resources he has allocated to the "Rafik Hariri Center and Middle Eastern Initiatives in Washington" to open doors for him in White House and congressional circles have yielded no results, as the Americans have not taken him "seriously."
Nevertheless, Bahaa does not tire of seeking "international networking" through his advisor Daniel Al-Ghosh, whom he recently promoted from media advisor to political advisor; the latter may offer him connections with Western and regional security agencies. Despite some confirming that there is no Arab or international political umbrella for Hariri's dreams, many questions surround his relationship with the British.
During his last visit to Beirut to participate in the mourning of his aunt, former MP Bahiyah Hariri, he was seen moving between Majdalyoun and the "Venice" hotel, except for a brief visit to British Ambassador Hamish Cowell at his residence, "where they discussed general conditions, particularly political and regional developments," according to a statement from Hariri's media office. This visit was arranged by Cowell, not at Hariri's request, indicating the direct interest of the British in Bahaa, as sources confirm a close relationship exists between "the Sheikh" and the British, who are showing him exceptional attention, reaching a point where officials from the British embassy make regular visits to Hariri's office in central Beirut to oversee logistical and financial preparations for his visit.
