Thousands in Lebanon mark death of Hariri

HUNDREDS of thousands of flag-waving Lebanese packed a square in central Beirut yesterday to mark the anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a momentous event that ended Syria's long domination of its smaller neighbour.

The government gave schools the day off and businesses closed.

The demonstration in Martyrs' Square next to Mr Hariri's grave drew mostly Sunni Muslims from the former leader's sect and Christian and Druze allies. The main pro-Syrian Shi'ite Muslim groups, Hezbollah and Amal, did not take part.