The Byzantine World of the Middle East

"[Recruited at age 19 to travel to an exclusive resort in the Seycheles Islands called The Plantation Club], frequented by some of the richest private individuals in the world for whom money is no object."
"[At this] playground of the super-wealthy, it is the norm for lavish parties and events to be held [where models were flown in] to lend a sense of glamour and exclusivity."
"I have also been told that I have a very engaging personality."
Affidavit, Candice van der Merwe, South African model

Candice van der Merwe. Picture: Twitter

Oh well, a politician. A Middle East politician. A Middle East politician in Lebanon. Comfortable to act as the troubled, sectarian-cleft prime minister of a government in which the terrorist group Hezbollah, the militia-proxy tool of the Islamic Republic of Iran, forms part of the government while at the same time governing independently within the Shiite enclaves of the country, and in the process operating a military, separate from that of the government itself.

No problem. Lebanon is accustomed to strife and disagreements and the machinations of its Sunni, Druze, Christian, Shiite blocs, all maneuvering, contending for leadership, power and control. The presence of Palestinian 'refugees' whom Lebanon will not deign to absorb as citizens somewhat complicating the situation. The domination of Syria and the emergence of 'The Party of God', martyr-loving and murder-proficient making for a rather complex society.

That Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, loved his father Rafik Hariri is perhaps not under debate. That he honours him is up to his own conscience. He may console himself with the assurance that he does, but it is a strange way to do so; to harmonize the country's affairs and its future with the very armed, dangerous, terrorist force that murdered Rafik Hariri is indisputably peculiar. What is also indisputable is that no one seems to notice, much less care (other than the Saudis).

 Since 1977, at least 12 prominent political leaders were assassinated

This is the Middle East, however, and a giant shrug of dismissal is always in order; one commits to actions that happen to be convenient or self-serving at any given time. And what is most inconvenient is to have other issues revealed that portray oneself in a morally compromising position in such a blatant manner as to be somewhat embarrassing in a geography, cult, and heritage where honour or the perception of honour is of primary importance.

What is even more disconcerting for Lebanon's prime minister is the state of affairs of his family's (collapsed) construction conglomerate, Saudi Oger, its media outlets and other business empires where employees impatiently await their promised backpay of salaries. As with private business, so to the country faces a financial crisis resulting in public anti-government protests when their prime minister warned the public in a declaration of "economic state of emergency" that austerity measures are in their future.

In 2013, this father of three had a Forbes-estimated net worth of $1.9 billion accruing from business interests inherited from Rafik Hariri, prime minister at one time like this son, until his assassination in 2005 Beirut. Recent revelations of an affair with a 20-year-old model when he was 43, and her annual income from energy-drink promotions and swimwear calendars averaged $5,400 have now complicated this poor man's life even further.

In May of 2013 the young woman's aspirations and financial assets underwent an amazingly swift transition, when a Lebanese bank transferred $15,299,965 to her personal account. A tender secret between two private individuals, although the startling amount involved caught the attention of South African financial and tax authorities. Who had the unmitigated gall to investigate and feel confident in deeming the transaction taxable income.

The young woman stood her ground with confidence, insisting this represented a gift, and as such according to South African law, not taxable. This transaction took place without conditions, she recounted in subsequent court cases where her benefactor was revealed to be Lebanon's prime minister. She had spent all of four days in 2012 at the Seychelles resort, connecting with attendees attracted to her qualities, including her "healthy lifestyle".

NewYorkTimes.com   The payments were not made during the time Mr. Hariri was prime minister

After making such a favourable impression it was reasonable that other such trips followed. As to the $15 million transfer, described through a bank official as "the sender and beneficiary are boyfrield/girlfriend and are currently together in the Seychelles" -- well simply proof of a gift with which she bought a house in Cape Town's prestigious Fresnaye neighbourhood, and loaned out $2.7 million to her father's real estate company. Which left the poor woman with a mere $537,000.

When tax authorities in South Africa persisted, Candice van der MErwe's assets were frozen. Which was when her benefactor once more stepped in to send her another $1 million to ensure she had sufficient funds to assist in covering legal and living expenses. Finally, when in January she sued government officials for $65-million in damages, the documents she filed revealed the Lebanese prime minister's role in her unfortunate misery of tax harassment.