Lebanese crowds mark Hariri death despite bombs

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

BEIRUT, Feb 14 (Reuters) Crowds gathered in central Beirut today to remember Rafik al-Hariri two years after the Lebanese former prime minister's assassination.

Saad al-Hariri, son of the slain Sunni Muslim politician, said the rally would go ahead despite bus bombs that killed three people and wounded 20 in a Christian area on Monday.

Hariri and his ruling coalition allies called the memorial rally to show support for the government, which is resisting a campaign by the Hezbollah-led opposition to topple it.

The coalition blamed Monday's bombs on Syria, which it also says was behind the February. 14, 2005, suicide bombing that killed Rafik al-Hariri and a string of later attacks on anti-Syrian figures.

Thousands of Hariri loyalists streamed to the heavily protected Martyrs Square near his grave hours ahead of the rally.

''Not going out (to the rally) is bending to fear, giving in to what they want to do to us,'' his son told LBC television.

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.

Prime Minister Fouad Siniora has declared February. 14 a national holiday and day of mourning. Shops, schools and businesses are closed. Troops reinforced positions in downtown Beirut.

HEAVY SECURITY Security forces erected fences and barbed wire to keep Hariri supporters separated from opposition activists who have been camped outside Siniora's office nearby since December. 1.

Hundreds of soldiers and police with armoured vehicles guarded Martyrs Square and diverted traffic away from the area.

Sectarian tensions have run high between pro-government Sunnis and Shi'ite Muslim supporters of opposition groups Hezbollah and Amal, both allies of Syria.

Hariri said he wanted the anniversary to be ''an occasion for the Lebanese to emphasise their adherence to the truth'' -- a reference to bringing his father's killers to justice. He said it was vital that a UN-backed tribunal try the suspects.

Hariri's allies say the opposition is acting on Syrian orders to oust the government and derail the tribunal.

The UN Security Council and the Beirut government have approved plans for the court. But Lebanon's pro-Syrian president has not and the plans cannot come into force until ratified by parliament which is due to come into session in mid-March.

Parliament Speaker and Amal leader Nabih Berri says the government has lost its legitimacy. Hezbollah and Amal 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.

REUTERS MS PM1335

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