Khaddam: Hariri was assassinated due to his political role

"Hariri was targeted because of his political role in boosting civil peace in Lebanon ... Enemies of Lebanon and the Arab nation have interest in assassinating peace in Lebanon," Syrian Vice President said Tuesday.

In an interview published by the London-based al-Hayat newspaper, Abdulhalim Khaddam underlined that Hariri was a Lebanese who struggled for achieving civil peace in Lebanon and had a great role in al-Taef agreement.

He also added that "Hariri did his best to serve the Palestinian cause and Syria," expressing deep sorrow over this hideous crime.

Khaddam underscored the importance of protecting the Lebanese national unity and to adhere to the civil peace due to its great significance for the Syrians and the Lebanese.

Meantime, Syria's Permanent Envoy to the UN Faisal Miqdad said Tuesday that no country in the world will feel the absence and loss of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri more than Syria whom he loved and held strong and distinguished relations with.

"Lebanon witnessed yesterday a painful incident, by all criterions, when the hand of terrorism and crime assassinated Hariri who has been considered one of Lebanon's sincere leaders," Miqdad, heading the Arab Group to the UN for this month, said in a statement to a UN General Assembly session.

"The sudden absence of Hariri was not only a loss for Lebanon, but it was a great loss for all Arab states, particularly because the late premier had considered Arab-Lebanese relations as one of the basic factors of Lebanon's policy," the Syrian envoy added.