Thousands gathered in Beirut Friday to mark 20 years since the assassination of ex-premier Rafic Hariri, and to call for the return of his son Saad to political life. On Friday, thousands of flag-waving Hariri supporters began gathering at his father's burial site in Beirut.

Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, gestures in front of a picture of his late father and former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafic Hariri at his house in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, on Jan. 24, 2022. Credit: AP/Hussein Malla Lebanon’s president ...

After two weeks of relentless rain, Beirut awoke to a sunny day for the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Rafic Hariri’s assassination. Thousands of people from across Lebanon gathered to honor the memory of the late prime minister,

Lebanon has since endured further political turmoil, economic crises, and war. The latest conflict with Israel has left nearly 4,000 dead, weakening Hezbollah’s grip on power and ushering in a new government.

Thousands gathered in the centre of Beirut on Friday to mark the 20-year anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri.His killing sparked a wave of demonstrations across Lebanon and the withdrawal of occupying Syrian forces in 2005.

Hezbollah appears to retain significant military and political power in Lebanon, and the dispersed Israeli inhabitants of the Israel-Lebanon border region are still unable to return to their homes.

In a statement marking the anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed his deep sorrow, saying Lebanon has lost a "great national figure and a statesman par excellence.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf reiterated Iran's commitment to Lebanon's independence and self-determination, stating that Iran would support any decision made by the Lebanese people.