Hariri Was Warned to Flee Lebanon Six Days Before His Murder, Memoirs Reveal
New memoirs by Syria's former Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam expose a chilling warning delivered to Rafik Hariri just six days before the Lebanese statesman was blown up in a Beirut bomb blast. The account, published in extracts by Asharq Al-Awsat, paints a damning picture of the Assad regime's machinations and raises fresh questions about who ordered the killing.
Khaddam, who broke with Damascus in 2005, reveals that he twice urged Hariri to leave Lebanon immediately, fearing for his life. The first warning came through an intermediary; the second was delivered face to face over lunch on February 8, 2005. Hariri ignored the advice, citing his electoral duties, and was assassinated six days later.
What did Khaddam tell Hariri at their final meeting?
According to the memoirs, Khaddam travelled to Beirut for a medical appointment and accepted a lunch invitation from Hariri at his residence. The former prime minister, visibly anxious, asked about the earlier warning conveyed through former Lebanese Defence Minister Mohsen Dalloul. Khaddam repeated his advice: leave Lebanon at once.
Hariri's reply was stark:
“I have elections... how can I leave the people?”Khaddam responded:
“Your life is more important than the people, and your family is more important than the elections.”
What did Hariri reveal about threats from the Assad circle?
The lunch produced two alarming details. First, Hariri asked about Maher al-Assad, Bashar's brother, after being told that Maher wanted to build ties with him and resolve disputes, seeing Hariri as “a loyal friend to Syria.” Khaddam warned him to be careful and leave.
Second, Hariri revealed his security had been stripped:
“I used to have 50 security personnel, but they withdrew them and left only six.”Khaddam said this left Hariri dangerously exposed.
How did the Assad regime react to Hariri's assassination?
On February 14, 2005, Khaddam was at a Baath party meeting in Damascus when he saw news of a massive explosion in Beirut. Hariri and his guards were killed. Khaddam sought permission to travel to Beirut for condolences but was told to go “in his personal capacity.” The regime boycotted the funeral.
Syrian state newspapers ran the headline “Massive Explosion in Beirut” without naming Hariri on the front page, merely noting he was “among” the casualties. Khaddam said this omission itself pointed the finger at Bashar al-Assad.
What did Khaddam reveal about earlier assassination attempts?
The memoirs also detail an October 2004 attempt on Lebanese minister Marwan Hamadeh, which Khaddam called “a warning to all opponents of President Lahoud.” He visited Hamadeh in hospital, meeting Walid Jumblatt and Jebran Tueni. Khaddam noted his direct contact with the Syrian president had ceased by late 2004, with communications only through aides.
Why do these memoirs matter now?
The testimony fits a documented sequence: the extension of Lahoud's term in September 2004, UN Resolution 1559, the Hamadeh attack, a campaign against Hariri, and his murder. Khaddam does not render a verdict, but his insider account completes a countdown: an accusation in the Baath command, a warning, a final lunch, and the explosion.
The full chapter, “The Assassination of Rafik Hariri,” appears in Khaddam's book, edited by Ibrahim Hamidi, published by Raff Publishing (SRMG) in early September. For Britain, which lost citizens in the blast and has long pressed for accountability, these revelations are a stark reminder of the region's brutal realpolitik.