Sunday, February 14, 2010 BEIRUT: Thousands of flag waving Lebanese gathered in Beirut's main square Sunday to mark the fifth anniversary of the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. As in previous years, tens of thousands of people from across the country are expected to take part despite a serious rift within the ranks of the pro-Western ruling coalition, now headed by the slain Hariri's son, the current prime minister. It also comes after Prime Minister Saad Hariri reconciled with Damascus, whom he has openly accused of killing his father in the 2005 Valentine's Day truck bombing. The 40-year-old Hariri now heads a unity government which includes the Syrian-backed former opposition. Rafik Hariri had close ties with Western leaders and was credited with helping rebuild Lebanon's capital after the 1975-1990 civil war. In the last few months before his assassination, he had tried to limit Syria's influence over Lebanon, and many accused Syria of inv...
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