Thousands of supporters have gathered in downtown Beirut to mark the 20th anniversary of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s assassination

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.

Lebanon on Friday marks 20 years since former prime minister Rafiq Hariri's assassination amid seismic political changes that have weakened Hezbollah and its backers and could herald a comeback for Hariri's son Saad.

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.