Khaled al-Hariri remembered

Khaled al-Hariri remembered

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Syrian photographer Khaled al-Hariri, who worked for Reuters for more than 20 years, has died aged 54 following a long illness.

“Khaled was one the most prominent photojournalists in Syria,” said Jamal Saidi, a longstanding colleague.

“He worked under very tough conditions and helped develop the concept of photojournalism in his country” Jamal Saidi

Hariri started his career at the local Syrian newspaper Tishreen before joining Reuters in the capital Damascus in 1991.

He was arrested by the Syrian security forces at the beginning of the Syrian uprising in 2011 in the southern city of Deraa while taking pictures of protests that demanded change from President Bashar al-Assad.

. Deraa, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri
Syrians shout "freedom" during a protest near the city of Deraa.

Earlier in his career at Reuters, in 2004, Hariri got an offer to become the private photographer of Assad. He didn’t accept the job.

“Khaled was a passionate photographer and a loyal friend,” said Saidi. “He was dedicated to his family and job.”

Hariri also trained and encouraged many young Syrian photographers. Saidi described him as being “very close to the new generation of photojournalists”.

“He never refused to help anyone,” Saidi said. “He was very friendly and helpful to other photographers, including competitors.”

Even during his illness, Hariri continued to take an active interest in photography and current affairs, especially in his native Syria.

Hariri is survived by his wife Hind, his son Omar and daughter Batoul.

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Slideshow

Syrian university students sing for then-president Hafez al-Assad during a student conference in Damascus.
. DAMASCUS, SYRIA. REUTERS

Syrian university students sing for then-president Hafez al-Assad during a student conference in Damascus.

A Damascus clothes shop owner watches renovation and excavation work carried out by the Municipality of Damascus alongside the 19th century al-Hamdia Souk.
. DAMASCUS, SYRIA

A Damascus clothes shop owner watches renovation and excavation work carried out by the Municipality of Damascus alongside the 19th century al-Hamdia Souk.

A symbolic trade caravan passes during a show held in the ancient city of Palmyra, 240km northeast of Damascus, on the occasion of Word Tourism Day.
. Palmyra, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

A symbolic trade caravan passes during a show held in the ancient city of Palmyra, 240km northeast of Damascus, on the occasion of Word Tourism Day.

Hassan Shwaykani plays with his pet hyenas at his house in the suburb of Garamana near Damascus.
. DAMASCUS, Syrian Arab Republic. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Hassan Shwaykani plays with his pet hyenas at his house in the suburb of Garamana near Damascus.

Syrian civilians mount a military vehicle carrying troops returning from Lebanon.
. Damascus, Syria. REUTERS

Syrian civilians mount a military vehicle carrying troops returning from Lebanon.

An Iraqi family looks through a bus window before leaving Damascus for Baghdad.
. DAMASCUS, Syrian Arab Republic. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

An Iraqi family looks through a bus window before leaving Damascus for Baghdad.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (centre) and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy review the guard of honour in Damascus.
. DAMASCUS, Syrian Arab Republic. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (centre) and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy review the guard of honour in Damascus.

A bee flies towards a peach flower in a Damascus park.
. DAMASCUS, Syrian Arab Republic. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

A bee flies towards a peach flower in a Damascus park.

Fireworks explode over Hama during the opening show of the city's Spring Festival.
. HAMA, Syrian Arab Republic. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Fireworks explode over Hama during the opening show of the city's Spring Festival.

Children warm up next to a fire in the Tlvita mountains, northern Syria.
. Damascus, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Children warm up next to a fire in the Tlvita mountains, northern Syria.

A man carries his daughter at a church in Damascus on Palm Sunday.
. Damascus, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

A man carries his daughter at a church in Damascus on Palm Sunday.

A man holds a roll of pictures of Assad during a rally in support of him in Damascus.
. Damascus, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

A man holds a roll of pictures of Assad during a rally in support of him in Damascus.

Supporters of Assad gather during a rally in Damascus.
. Damascus, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Supporters of Assad gather during a rally in Damascus.

Smoke rises during clashes between the Syrian army and armed groups in Homs.
. Homs, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Smoke rises during clashes between the Syrian army and armed groups in Homs.

Forces loyal to Assad walk in Homs.
. HOMS, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Forces loyal to Assad walk in Homs.

Forces (right) loyal to Assad are seen in old Homs city, as insurgents leave the city (in the background).
. HOMS, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Forces (right) loyal to Assad are seen in old Homs city, as insurgents leave the city (in the background).

Forces loyal to Assad play football in Homs.
. HOMS, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Forces loyal to Assad play football in Homs.

Forces loyal to Assad are seen in Homs.
. HOMS, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

Forces loyal to Assad are seen in Homs.

A soldier in old Damascus wears a picture of Assad on his chest.
. DAMASCUS, Syria. REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri

A soldier in old Damascus wears a picture of Assad on his chest.