"Former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was a productive and effective leader, but also corrupt. Of course, he was not as corrupt as his rival, Salim al-Hoss,”said Antonine University Deputy Vice President for Cultural Affairs Pascale Lahoud at a conference on Thursday. 
 
Al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Friday that Lahoud’s statement was based on a study published in The Leadership Quarterly in December 2009 under the title “The dynamic of effective corrupt leadership: Lessons from Rafik Hariri’s political career in Lebanon,” and was written by Mark Neal and Richard Tansey.
 
According to the daily, Information Minister Tarek Mitri, who was present at the conference, voiced his objection to Lahoud’s comments, before delivering his speech.
 
“We should stay away from [reports that lack] accuracy and sensibility, whether it was issued by Lebanese or by foreigners,” he told Lahoud.
 
PM Saad Hariri, the son of the ex-premier, in turn decided to no longer sponsor the symposium after Lahoud’s statement.
 
Secretary General of the Antonine University Father Fadi Fadel apologized on Thursday following Lahoud’s offensive comments, adding, “The comments do not express the opinion of the university."
 
-NOW Lebanon
 
 
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