Rafic al-Hariri's two elder sons, Bahaa and Saad, have fled Lebanon respectively to Switzerland and Saudi Arabia after receiving threats that they would be the next target of their father's assassins, The Independent reported Tuesday.
Former Lebanese premier Rafic Hariri was assassinated on February 14, 2005 when explosives equivalent to around 300 kg. of TNT were detonated as his motorcade drove past the St. George Hotel in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
Fouad Siniora, Finance Minister in Hariri's governments who is now the family's senior-most advisor, said in a statement that Bahaa and Saad left Beirut, but to tend to their business enterprises after nearly a month's absence.
Meanwhile, an official Saudi foreign ministry source denied Tuesday reports circulated by some media outlets over Riyadh's "mediation" in the situation in Lebanon.
The unnamed source, cited by SPA news agency, said the Kingdom was neither asked to conduct any mediation nor it made any offer in this context.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
