“Cedar Revolution” March 14...the uprising that ended 30 years of Syrian presence in Lebanon

Highlights: Protests began on March 14, 2005 after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Syrian loyalists were accused of assassinating him. Lebanese movements, parties, and groups mobilized to demand the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon. This revolution ended the Syrian presence in Lebanon, which had lasted for nearly 30 years. "March 14" and "March 8" go back to the date on which the series of demonstrations called for by each movement began, says H.A. Hellyer.

Protests began on March 14, 2005 after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Syrian loyalists were accused of assassinating him, and Lebanese movements and parties mobilized and demanded Syria’s exit from the country after a 30-year presence.

Lebanese demonstrators on March 14, 2005 in Martyrs' Square in Beirut (Associated Press)

Protests began on March 14, 2005 after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on Monday, February 14, 2005, and Syrian loyalists were accused of assassinating him. Lebanese movements, parties, and groups mobilized to demand the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon, adopting the colors red and white as their symbol, and chanting slogans such as “freedom, sovereignty, and independence” and “truth, freedom, and national unity.” This revolution ended the Syrian presence in Lebanon, which had lasted for nearly 30 years.

The Syrian presence in Lebanon

The roots of the Syrian presence in Lebanon go back to 1976, a year after the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War. The Syrian forces entered as part of the Arab Deterrence Forces, and then the Syrian government succeeded in establishing its presence in Lebanon.

It also obtained a mandate from the League of Arab States in accordance with the Taif Agreement, which was signed in 1989. More than 14,000 Syrian soldiers settled in Lebanon at that time, in addition to members of the intelligence.

Taif Agreement

The Taif Agreement, signed on October 22, 1989, put an end to the civil war in Lebanon. It was based on two main axes: reform and Lebanese-Syrian relations.

This agreement is considered the first reference for the Lebanese people from which they derive their national reconciliation and civil peace after the civil war that lasted nearly 15 years.

Hariri's assassination...the spark

Hariri was assassinated on February 14, 2005, along with 21 other people, in an explosion that used 1,800 kilograms of TNT, in the Al-Marisseh area, west of Beirut. The finger of blame was pointed at Syria and its allies in Lebanon.

Thousands of Lebanese took to the streets of the capital, Beirut, a month after the assassination of Hariri, chanting the slogan “Freedom, Sovereignty, Independence.” As a result, the “March 14 Forces” group and coalition emerged, which demanded the withdrawal of the Syrian army and the security system from Lebanon. Another anti-Syrian coalition also emerged. "March 14", which defends Syria, called itself the "March 8 Alliance."

Participating political parties

The names “March 14” and “March 8” go back to the date on which the series of demonstrations called for by each movement began.

March 14 - which demanded that Syria withdraw from Lebanon - includes an alliance of Sunni, Druze and Christian forces, and the currents and parties participating in it include:

The Future Movement, led by Saad Hariri, represents the most prominent force representing the Sunni community, and has a major parliamentary bloc.
The Lebanese Forces Party, led by Samir Geagea, was founded in 1980 to represent the military wing of all Christian parties classified as the right-wing forces of the Lebanese Front.
The Phalange Party, led by former President Amin Gemayel, has for decades been the largest right-wing party within the Christian community since its founding in 1936.
The Socialist Progress Party, led by Walid Jumblatt, was at the forefront of the founders of the coalition before it took a moderate turn after the events of May 7, 2008.

In addition to other parties, including:

Democratic Renewal Movement.
Democratic Left Movement.
National Liberal Party.
Qornet Shehwan meeting bloc.
National bloc.

In contrast, Lebanese parties known for their close relationship with the Syrian regime formed, amid other demonstrations that took place thanking Syria for its presence in Lebanon, which are:

Hezbollah, led by Hassan Nasrallah.
The Free Patriotic Movement, which was led by Michel Aoun.

Objectives of the "Cedar Revolution"

Among the goals of the Cedar Revolution during its launch were:

Formation of an international investigation committee to investigate the Hariri assassination, the resignation of the country’s security services, and the holding of free parliamentary elections.
Uniting the Lebanese, regardless of their parties, factions, and orientations, under one national banner.
Overthrowing all loyalists to the Syrian regime inside Lebanon, dismissing the security services and completely withdrawing them along with the Syrian army forces and their allies, such as the government of Omar Karami and Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh.
The return of Michel Aoun from exile and the release of Samir Geagea.

Most prominent stations

Prime Minister Omar Karami resigned on February 28, 2005 and said that he was “keen that the government not be an obstacle to what others see as good for the country,” and called for new elections.

The opposition movement was not satisfied with the government's resignation, but also demanded a complete end to the Syrian presence in the country, at a time when officials investigating the Hariri case resigned.

The government announced its decision to ban the demonstration, but the army refused to suppress the demonstrations, saying that it was implementing the constitution, which allows freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful demonstrations, and said that the constitution was stronger than the political decision.

Resolution (1559) was issued by the UN Security Council demanding the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced on March 5 his commitment to the complete withdrawal of his army from Lebanon.

The decision was implemented on April 26, 2005, and the Syrian forces left, after a military presence that had lasted since 1976. Aoun also returned from exile, and Geagea was released.

Thousands of Lebanese took to the streets of the capital, Beirut, a month after the assassination of Rafik Hariri in 2005 (Associated Press)

Results of the "Cedar Revolution"

The "March 14 Alliance" believes that it was able to secure the support of the international community for "Lebanon's independence", the withdrawal of Syrian forces from the country, and the consecration of democracy as an idea and practice, in addition to correcting diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon for the first time since independence.

After the 2005 elections, the “March 14” forces obtained the majority of seats in Parliament, and then they also obtained a majority in the 2009 elections.

"March 14" forces after the "revolution"

The general coordinator of the March 14 Forces, Fares Saeed, says that this gathering “formally has completed its mission, but the content of this event is permanent.” He went on to say in an interview with Anatolia Agency, "March 14 was based on the unity of the Lebanese in order to expel the Syrian army, but after that the Lebanese people returned to their sectarian squares, and this matter led to the entry of a new occupation, which is the Iranian occupation." He called for the reunification of the ranks, as happened in 2005.

The relationship between the coalition and Syria began to improve in 2010 following the visit of Walid Jumblatt and Saad Hariri to Damascus.

Source: websites