Huge rally in Beirut to commemorate Rafik Hariri anniversary

iThe crowd at this year's rally is also demonstrating its backing for an international tribunal that will try suspects in the Feb. 14, 2005, assassination.

Waving Lebanese and party flags as well as photos of the slain leader, men, women and children gathered under sunny skies in Martyr’s Square where members of the parliamentary majority were to address them.

Long lines of cars and buses crammed with supporters of the majority alliance headed by Hariri’s son and political heir, Saad Hariri, could be seen along roads leading to the capital.

Security was tight in and around the capital with army troops deployed heavily to avoid violence.

Hariri had close ties with Western leaders and was credited with helping rebuild Lebanon’s capital after the 1975-1990 civil war.

Before his death, he had tried to limit neighboring Syria’s influence over Lebanon, and many accused that country’s leaders of involvement in his killing. Syria denies those accusations.

The rally comes as the country prepares for legislative elections in June that will pit Western-backed political parties against a Hezbollah-led alliance backed by Syria and Iran.

Turnout for Saturday's rally is seen by many observers as an indicator of voters mood ahead of the polls on June 7.

UN SET TO TRY SUSPECTS

Hariri died in a massive car bombing on February 14, 2005 that also killed 22 others. The assassination was widely blamed on then Lebanese power-broker Syria, which has denied any involvement.

The attack on the Beirut seafront was one of the worst acts of political violence to rock Lebanon since the 1975-1990 civil war, and led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops after a 29-year presence.

The UN tribunal to try Hariri’s alleged killers is due to open its doors on March 1, housed in the former headquarters of the Dutch intelligence service on the outskirts of The Hague.

The tribunal will also try those presumed responsible for a series of attacks on other Lebanese political and media figures.

Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with Hariri's assassination. Among them are four generals, including the former head of Lebanese state security.

The UN probe has also implicated senior officials from Syria but Damascus has strongly denied any connection with Hariri’s death and accuses Washington of using the tribunal as a political weapon.