Hariri assassination

The assassination of Rafik Hariri, a former Prime Minister of Lebanon, occurred on February 14, 2005, when a massive car bomb killed him and 21 others in Beirut. Hariri was a prominent political figure known for his role in rebuilding Lebanon after the civil war. His death sparked widespread protests, known as the Cedar Revolution, demanding the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, which had maintained a military presence since the civil war. The assassination prompted international investigations and heightened tensions in Lebanon, revealing deep-seated political divisions and leading to ongoing debates about regional influence and accountability.