The winding year saw the rise of figures and phenomena that promise to be of crucial importance this year. Al-Ahram Weekly keeps track of a changing vista Less than a year ago, the name would have solicited little or no attention in political circles or the media, whether inside or outside Lebanon. To the world at large, the younger son of former prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri was just that, the son of Lebanon's richest and arguably most influential leader. But the killing of Al-Hariri the father promptly catapulted the 35-year- old Saudi-based businessman into the limelight. And his role in charting the political future of his country has grown, if only incrementally, and is expected to go on growing this year. Up until the 14 February killing of Rafik Al-Hariri, Saad was running Saudi Oger, a multi-billion dollar construction conglomerate established by his father in Saudi Arabia. Saad has since returned to Lebanon to lead his father's Future Movement, becoming a prominent player on the Lebanese political arena. As the leader of the largest parliamentary bloc in the Lebanese House of Legislature, Al-Hariri has toured regional and world capitals, including Paris, Cairo, Riyadh and others to gather support for pushing ahead in the international investigation into the killing of his father. Earlier speculation that Saad would head the first Lebanese government after the Syrian withdrawal ended when veteran Al-Hariri ally and former minister of finance Fouad Al-Siniora was chosen. Political observers noted that Saad would not be able to hold such a high-profile post given his lack of experience. Yet neither this nor his average Joe vernacular prevented the heir from taking on important diplomatic missions -- something that resulted in him spending less time in Lebanon (some say for fear of being assassinated), thus giving him less of a chance to solidify his leadership base. In the most recent test of his growing influence, a reported deal he struck with his estranged partners in Lebanon's coalition government Hizbullah and Amal has yet to surpass a major crisis of government. Rumours that he might be the next prime minister of a national unity government have been circulating. But, in this context, it is well to note that Rafik Al-Hariri's shoes will likely prove too big to fill, and it remains to be seen whether the son -- who has had only the briefest grooming as a politician -- will be able to capitalise on the legacy of the father by steering the country out of an extremely tight spot. By Hicham Safieddine
