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On March 14, 2005, a human tidal wave flooded Martyrs' Square. Lebanese people of all faiths gathered around a single cause: rising up against the Syrian occupation of Lebanon, one month after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. It was a first in the history of independent Lebanon.
Today, the 20th commemoration has a new significance: on December 8, 2024, the Assad regime fell. Let’s look back at this historic demonstration that was a turning point both for Lebanon and the region.
March 14: A Unique Popular Movement
The protesters of March 14, 2005, expressed their desire to break free from sectarian affiliations and promote a cross-communal national identity. Among the slogans raised that day were: “2005 - Independence,” “Lebanon First,” “Truth” (regarding Rafic Hariri’s assassination), and “They’re leaving, smile!” (referring to the Syrian forces and intelligence services present in Lebanon).
The movement ignited on that day was later dubbed the "Cedar Revolution," embodying a patriotic Lebanese momentum symbolized by the cedar tree. The rally was preceded by another demonstration on March 8 of the same year, organized by pro-Syrian loyalists. This resulted in a deep divide in the local political scene between two opposing camps: March 8, aligned with the Syrian-Iranian axis, and March 14, advocating national sovereignty and independence.
Zoom Out: A Series of Shocking Events
March 14 was not just a one-time protest; it was the culmination of months of near-daily mobilization against the Syrian presence in Lebanon throughout 2005.
This movement led to the hasty withdrawal of Syrian troops on April 27, ending nearly 30 years of Syrian presence in Lebanon. Meanwhile, a series of political assassinations and terrorist attacks created a climate of fear for both civil society and the political class.
On a regional scale, 2005 marked the beginning of a gradual weakening of Syrian control, which, over the years, ultimately led to the fall of the Assad regime in 2024.
The first international measures aimed at pressuring Syria date back to 2004. The US Congress passed the Syrian Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act (SALSA), followed by the UN Security Council Resolution 1559 in September of the same year.
Both measures called for an end to Syrian tutelage over Beirut. Resolution 1559 reaffirmed:
- The full sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the Lebanese government.
- The withdrawal of all remaining foreign forces from Lebanon.
While 2005 saw the withdrawal of Syrian troops, 2024 witnessed the collapse of Assad’s rule in Damascus.
Two decades apart, a convergence of international interests and shifts in regional power dynamics has contributed to a restructuring process in the multi-conflict Middle East — a process that is still ongoing.
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