The year 2005 was not an ordinary one in Lebanese history. On February 14, amid Valentine's Day celebrations, the motorcade of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was struck by a massive explosion near the St. George Hotel, killing him along with several of his bodyguards and Lebanese citizens present at the scene. In response, an international investigative committee was formed, leading to the establishment of an international tribunal, which, after fifteen years, convicted Hezbollah members in absentia for their involvement in the assassination.

Hariri’s assassination sent shockwaves through Lebanon, sharply dividing the country. On one side were those aligned with Syrian influence under Iranian patronage, known as the "Ain al-Tineh Bloc," primarily composed of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement. On the other side was the "Bristol Gathering," consisting of various forces rebelling against the entrenched Syrian dominance, that launched the “2005 Independence Uprising”, challenging Syria’s political, security, and military control.

Amidst this political struggle, pro-Syrian forces organized a massive demonstration under the slogan "Thank You, Syria." In response, the Lebanese public held an even larger demonstration on March 14, 2005, a watershed moment in Lebanese history known as the "Cedar Revolution," which ultimately led to the withdrawal of Syrian military forces from Lebanon on April 26, 2005.

Although the political leadership of Lebanon’s Shiite community, primarily Hezbollah and Amal, was at the core of the March 8 Bloc, nationalistic/patriotic Shiite figures participated in the Independence Uprising. They sought to establish a national Shiite Lebanese choice within the framework of the March 14 forces; in opposition to the choices of the political leadership within the Shiite community, which was organically and loyally tied to Syria and Iran.

These nationalist/patriotic Lebanese Shiites viewed the Independence Uprising and the Cedar Revolution as the embodiment of Lebanese patriotism, a path to transcending sectarianism and confessionalism, and a gateway to true citizenship in a civil state. However, they were met with resistance from some leaders within the March 14 Bloc, who pursued personal and political compromises, leading to the so-called “Quadripartite Agreement” in 2005. This agreement overlooked the national/patriotic Shiite option and instead engaged in temporary political alliances with the duo dominating Shiite political leadership. As a result, the political alliance of March 14 unraveled, and the duo, Hezbollah and Amal, extended their influence, tightening their grip on Lebanese political decisions; while the opposition remained fragmented between those seeking sovereignty and others calling for reform.

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The year 2005 was not an ordinary one in Lebanese history. On February 14, amid Valentine's Day celebrations, the motorcade of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was struck by a massive explosion near the St. George Hotel, killing him along with several of his bodyguards and Lebanese citizens present at the scene. In response, an international investigative committee was formed, leading to the establishment of an international tribunal, which, after fifteen years, convicted Hezbollah members in absentia for their involvement in the assassination.

Hariri’s assassination sent shockwaves through Lebanon, sharply dividing the country. On one side were those aligned with Syrian influence under Iranian patronage, known as the "Ain al-Tineh Bloc," primarily composed of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement. On the other side was the "Bristol Gathering," consisting of various forces rebelling against the entrenched Syrian dominance, that launched the “2005 Independence Uprising”, challenging Syria’s political, security, and military control.

Amidst this political struggle, pro-Syrian forces organized a massive demonstration under the slogan "Thank You, Syria." In response, the Lebanese public held an even larger demonstration on March 14, 2005, a watershed moment in Lebanese history known as the "Cedar Revolution," which ultimately led to the withdrawal of Syrian military forces from Lebanon on April 26, 2005.

Although the political leadership of Lebanon’s Shiite community, primarily Hezbollah and Amal, was at the core of the March 8 Bloc, nationalistic/patriotic Shiite figures participated in the Independence Uprising. They sought to establish a national Shiite Lebanese choice within the framework of the March 14 forces; in opposition to the choices of the political leadership within the Shiite community, which was organically and loyally tied to Syria and Iran.

These nationalist/patriotic Lebanese Shiites viewed the Independence Uprising and the Cedar Revolution as the embodiment of Lebanese patriotism, a path to transcending sectarianism and confessionalism, and a gateway to true citizenship in a civil state. However, they were met with resistance from some leaders within the March 14 Bloc, who pursued personal and political compromises, leading to the so-called “Quadripartite Agreement” in 2005. This agreement overlooked the national/patriotic Shiite option and instead engaged in temporary political alliances with the duo dominating Shiite political leadership. As a result, the political alliance of March 14 unraveled, and the duo, Hezbollah and Amal, extended their influence, tightening their grip on Lebanese political decisions; while the opposition remained fragmented between those seeking sovereignty and others calling for reform.

Click on the PDF to read the full article.