LEBANON: Anti-Syrian Lebanese crowds honour slain Rafik Hariri, two years after the ex-premier's killing

Record ID: 215747

  • Title: LEBANON: Anti-Syrian Lebanese crowds honour slain Rafik Hariri, two years after the ex-premier's killing
  • Date: 15th February 2007
  • Summary: (BN10) BEIRUT, LEBANON (FEBRUARY 14, 2007) (REUTERS) CROWD CHEERING
  • Embargoed: 2nd March 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAE0NCKRAX7FABSQ8I0OU0GFUQ9
  • Story Text: Around 300,000 Lebanese demonstrated in Beirut on Wednesday (February 14) to honour Rafik al-Hariri, two years after the ex-premier's killing, and show support for the anti-Syrian government.
    Police guarded Hariri's tomb in central Beirut's Martyrs' Square as the demonstrators waved flags and patriotic music blared from loudspeakers.
    Hariri, a Sunni Muslim billionaire tycoon with close ties to Saudi Arabia and France, masterminded Lebanon's reconstruction after its 1975-90 civil war. He had fallen out with Syria, then the dominant power in Lebanon, in the months before his death.
    "Men and women of Lebanon, two years after the assassination of Rafik al-Hariri, we stand today before the hour of truth in the square of truth, and the last leg for the setting up of the international tribunal, despite the attempts to topple (Lebanese Prime Minister) Foud Siniora's government," Hariri's son Saad told the crowd after praying at his father's tomb.
    The government and the U.N. Security Council have approved plans to establish the court to try Hariri's killers, over objections from the Hezbollah-led opposition and from Lebanon's pro-Syrian president. Parliament's approval is also required.
    Hariri's allies say the opposition is acting on Syrian orders to oust the government and derail the tribunal.
    The demonstrators chanted slogans denouncing Syria, which they blame for the Feb. 14, 2005, suicide bombing that killed Hariri and for later attacks on anti-Syrian figures.
    Speaking from behind the bullet-proof screen all the speakers at the rally used for protection, Christian Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea said: "People of Lebanon, we will not kneel, we will not be cowed, we will not surrender," pledging that Lebanon would resist Syrian influence.
    Druze leader Walid Jumblatt declared: "We have come here to say to you: most noble of men Rafik al-Hariri, we have come to say to you that we will not be frightened by threats nor by missiles nor by bombs."
    Syria denies involvement in Hariri's assassination, which triggered international pressure that forced Damascus to withdraw its troops in 2005 after 29 years in Lebanon.
    The crowd's words echoed those uttered by the leaders on the platform.
    "I am here to commemorate the anniversary of the martyrdom of Rafik al-Hariri and to say that we will continue in your (Hariri's) footsteps and that his blood will not go to waste," said demonstrator Raheed al-Arab
    "I am here to tell the criminals that we are not going to forget Hariri and that we are going to follow Saad (al-Hariri)," said another demonstrator of Saad al-Hariri's mainly Sunni Future movement.
    The rally went ahead despite twin bus bombings on Tuesday (February 13). The ruling coalition accused Syria of organising the blasts, which killed three people and wounded 20 in a Christian area.
    Prime Minister Fouad Siniora declared Feb. 14 a national holiday and day of mourning. Shops, schools and businesses were closed. Troops reinforced positions in downtown Beirut.
    Crowds packed Martyrs Square and many people wore red caps commemorating Hariri, reading: "We really miss you."
    Hariri's son Saad and his coalition allies called the rally partly to demonstrate support for the government, which is resisting a Hezbollah-led campaign to topple it.
    Hundreds of soldiers and police with armoured vehicles guarded Martyrs' Square and diverted traffic away from the area.
    Security forces erected fences and barbed wire to keep Hariri supporters apart from opposition activists who have been camped outside Siniora's office nearby since Dec. 1.
    Sectarian tensions have run high between pro-government Sunnis and Shi'ite Muslim supporters of opposition groups Hezbollah and Amal, both allies of Syria.
    Hezbollah, Amal and opposition Christian leader Michel Aoun say the government has lost its legitimacy. They say they support the idea of the tribunal but want to discuss its mandate to ensure it cannot be used as a political tool against them.
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