Fourth Anniversary
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February 14, 2009 marked the fourth anniversary of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination. Estimated to be more than 1 million supporters, pro-government and pro-Hariri citizens of different sects and factions gathered together in Beirut for the occasion. At 12:55 pm, the crowd went silent to mark the exact moment of the explosion that killed Hariri.
The rally was also a peaceful reply to the pro-Syrian groups (Hizbullah and Amal Movement) that invaded Beirut on May 7, 2008 and took control of the city using force, before handing it to the Army after seven days, in which an estimated 100 people were killed as a result of the violent clashes that happened.
During the rally, speeches were given to entice the citizens to take place in the June 2009 parliamentary elections, in which the anti-Syrian coalition and the pro-Syrian coalition competed for the majority of seats.
Read more about this topic: Cedar Revolution
Famous quotes containing the words fourth and/or anniversary:
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—Miguel De Cervantes (1547–1616)
“The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more”
—John Adams (1735–1826)