Hariri storms Twitter, sets precedent for Lebanese politicians -...

3^min

Over the Eid al Adha break former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has been using the microblogging site Twitter to engage with followers in informal question and answer sessions.

The Future Movement politician that has been living outside of Lebanon since his cabinet collapsed in April fielded questions about what he would due upon his return, his Lebanese allies as well as the current situation in Syria.

Via his twitter account (@HaririSaad) the former PM confirmed that, if his party wins the next elections he would no longer vote for Nabih Berri to head the Parliament.

Hariri said that relations with the Head of the Change and Reform bloc are ruptured, while he described his ties with the Head of the Lebanese Forces as “solid”.

Speaking on his relations with the Head of the progressive Socialist Party (PSP) MP Walid Jumblatt, Hariri said: “Walid Joumblat is a leader and I will work with [him] as a leader. He was honest with me when we differed, so was I. When we had a meeting he was honest to say he can’t continue with me I respected that I can’t force people to do what I want.”

Hariri regarded the abduction of Syrian opposition figures in Lebanon as “the stupidest thing any individual or political party can do”, adding “their actions will not go unpunished and we will hold them accountable.”

Asked about whether the Syrian President Bashar Assad will “burn” Lebanon if he is certain of his fall, Hariri said: “He will fail and his people will be free. Look at Tunisia look at Egypt look at Libya in the end the people will get what they want: freedom.”

Hariri stressed that he is not against Hizbullah, “they are against us and themselves why don't they respect other people’s opinion.”

Asked about whether he regrets any decision he has taken since 2005, he answered: “Yes a lot. We should have continued all the way to the presidential palace.”

What Hariri should not regret is the decision to engage with the Lebanese people through social media. Both President Michel Sleiman (@SleimanMichel) and PM Najib Mikati (@Najib _Mikati) have been steadily providing followers with updates, but they have not managed to create the buzz of Hariri’s dedicated hour-long Q&A sessions. Sources close to Future TV stated that Hariri will continue answering questions on Twitter for the foreseeable future.

The political outcome of this engagement has yet to be seen but, by social media standards, Lebanese politicians should take note: Saad Hariri is getting it right.

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