Lebanon remembers Hariri's death

Thousands rally in Beirut to mark the anniversary of the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri.

They came in their thousands to mark the anniversary of the killing of Lebanon's former prime minister Rafik Hariri.

Gathering in Beirut's Martyr's square they came to show their support for a UN tribunal into his death.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RANIA DAOUK , LEBANESE CITIZEN SAYING :

" Today is very important for Lebanon and for all Lebanese people , we'd like to know the truth and who is killing our youth, and who is destroying our country , we want to live, we love peace, leave us alone we want the truth and we are for the international tribunal . "

Security was tight.

Among the crowd was his son, head of the Lebanese parliamentary majority Saad Hariri.

It was an emotional moment for him at the site of his father's grave.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ANTI-SYRIAN SUNNI LEADER SAAD AL HARIRI, HEAD OF LEBANESE PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY BLOC SAYING:

"Today we come again to the freedom square to tell the martyr Rafik al Hariri and all martyrs of the independence revolution, that the International Tribunal is coming soon and your blood will defeat all the oppressors. It's time now for the truth and justice."

Rafik Hariri was killed four years ago in a suicide car bomb attack that also claimed 22 other lives.

His death forced the withdrawal of Syrian troops who had been in the country for nearly three decades.

The incident sparked a violent backlash that brought Lebanon to the brink of another civil war.

Anti-Syrian politicians accuse Damascus of being behind the assassination, an accusation Syria denies.

A United Nations tribunal backed by the United States is underway.

Those suspected of involvement in the bombing will be tried in March.

Basmah Fahim, Reuters.