Source: Yahoo!/AFP

Today marks the first anniversary of the assassination of Rafik Hariri and the birth of Lebanon’s Cedar Revolution.

Half a million Lebanese citizens rallied in honor of Hariri’s memory today (via Reuters):

The turnout was reminiscent of huge protests after last year’s February 14 killing of Hariri and 22 others.

Those demonstrations, coupled with international pressure, forced Syria to end its 29-year military presence in Lebanon, although Damascus denies any role in the assassination.

Syria’s Lebanese foes said Tuesday’s rally would revive a campaign to force pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud to quit and to punish those behind the truck bombing that killed Hariri.

“By being present here today, you foil the conspiracy … against Lebanon, against Rafik al-Hariri, against Lebanon’s freedom, independence and dignity,” the former prime minister’s son and political heir Saad al-Hariri told the crowd from behind bullet-proof glass.

Believing he too could be killed, Hariri has spent more than six months abroad, but returned to Beirut for the anniversary…

Robert Mayer at Publius Pundit remembers and urges: “Let’s hope that not only will today be used to commemorate the death of Rafik Hariri, but to help build momentum toward bringing the regime who killed him and occupied Lebanon to justice.”

Amen.