The Cedar Revolution (Arabic: ثورة الأرز - thawrat al-arz) or Independence Intifada (Arabic: انتفاضة الاستقلال- intifāḍat al-istiqlāl) was a chain of demonstrations in Lebanon (especially in the capital Beirut) triggered by the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on February 14, 2005.
The primary goals of the original activists were the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and the replacement of a government heavily influenced by Syrian interests with more independent leadership, the establishment of an international commission to investigate the assassination of Prime Minister Hariri, the resignation of security officials to ensure the success of the plan, and the organization of free parliamentary elections. The demonstrators demanded the end of the Syrian influence in Lebanese politics. At the start of the demonstrations, Syria had been maintaining a force of roughly 14,000 soldiers and intelligence agents in Lebanon. Following the demonstrations, the Syrian troops completely withdrew from Lebanon on April 27, 2005. The Pro-Syrian government was also disbanded, accomplishing the main goal of the revolution. (For background information on Syria's involvement in Lebanese politics, see the articles History of Lebanon, Lebanese Civil War, and Syrian occupation of Lebanon.)
The opposition has taken the white and red scarf, and the pro-Hariri blue ribbon, as its symbol. Popular mottos of the movement were Hurriyya, Siyada, Istiqlal (Freedom, Sovereignty, Independence), and Haqiqa, Hurriyya, Wahda wataniyya (Truth, Freedom, National unity).
Read more about Cedar Revolution: Goals, Origins of The Name, Background, Government Resignation, International Reaction, Syrian Reaction, Response From The Arab World, Pro-Syrian Demonstration, Resurgent Counter-demonstrations, Withdrawal of Syrian Troops, Wave of Democracy, Second Anniversary, Third Anniversary, Fourth Anniversary, Fifth Anniversary, Sixth Anniversary
Famous quotes containing the words cedar and/or revolution:
“It was evening all afternoon.
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—Wallace Stevens (1879–1955)
“Talk of Columbus and Newton! I tell you the child just born in yonder hovel is the beginning of a revolution as great as theirs. But you must have the believing and prophetic eye.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)