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.