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Rafik Hariri

U.N.-Arab League peace envoy Kofi Annan speaks to the press upon his arrival in Damascus for talks with top officials on May 28, 2012. (AFP PHOTO/LOUAI BESHARA)

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About Rafik Hariri

Rafiq Bahaa El Deen Al-Hariri — (November 1, 1944 – February 14, 2005), (Arabic: رفيق بهاءالدين الحريري‎) a self-made billionaire and business tycoon, was Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2000 until his resignation, 20 October 2004. He headed five cabinets during his tenure. Hariri dominated the country's post-war political and business life and is widely credited with reconstructing Beirut after the 15-year civil war, but also for the widespread corruption that followed the war and the crippling damages done to the economy, with the public debt rising from $2.5 billion to over $40 billion and economic growth slowing from 8% to -1% during his time as prime minister.

from Wikipedia