Hariri's son bids for assassinated father's seat

A SON of the assassinated former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has launched his campaign to take his father's parliamentary seat.

Saad Hariri urged supporters to turn out in large numbers as a show of loyalty to the politician whose death three months ago led to Syria pulling its army out of Lebanon.

But Mr Hariri, who was scheduled to announce a list of names of candidates for Beirut's 19 parliamentary seats yesterday, has delayed his declaration by a day or two in order to complete consultation with allies.

"Loyalty to the martyr (former) prime minister calls on all citizens to turn out at polling stations to exercise the voting duty by casting their ballots and choosing their representatives in the next Parliament," Mr Hariri told thousands of supporters at his father's residence.

"I call on you to vote heavily for all members of the three tickets (in Beirut) without exception as my father used to call upon you in order to confirm your loyalty, commitment and support for these tickets," he said.

As the campaign for Lebanon's crucial parliamentary elections gained momentum, anti-Syrian opposition groups planned to begin "decisive" meetings later to formulate coalition tickets.

The vote, due to begin May 29, will be the first since Syria's recent military withdrawal. The opposition is hoping to seize control of parliament and break the hold of Syria's allies on power.

Pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud said the government will ensure the elections will be "free, honest and transparent."

Speaking during a meeting with Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Alfredo Mantica, Mr Lahoud said the presence of international observers to monitor the elections will prove the government's neutrality.

Lebanon's most prominent anti-Syrian leader, General Michel Aoun, wooed the Shi'ite Muslim guerrilla group Hezbollah and opposition factions, trying to build alliances ahead of the elections.

Manoeuvring is intense among the many factions of the opposition - particularly after the return of Mr Aoun on Saturday from a 14-year exile in France.

The Christian former army commander met with politicians from all sectarian communities, seeking alliances. He met on Monday with a delegation from Hezbollah led by legislator Ali Ammar, who hinted afterward at the possibility of a coalition.

Without giving a date, Mr Ammar said Mr Aoun and Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah will meet soon. Hezbollah is backed by Syria and Iran but has strong nationalist credentials after years of fighting the Israelis, as well as large support among Lebanon's Shiites. It is now seeking a stronger role in Lebanese politics.

Mr Aoun, who returned to Lebanon on Saturday amid scenes of jubilation from thousands of his supporters, said he was waiting for opposition politicians' response to his call to build a democratic Lebanon. He promised he would help reform Lebanon's sectarian-based political system.

Mr Aoun, a one-time army commander and interim Lebanese prime minister, lost a "war of liberation" against Syrian forces in 1989-90.