Independence Intifada

Rafiq Hariri's assassination triggered large protests under the name the Independence Intifada in Lebanon and specifically Beirut calling for the end of the Syrian occupation and the withdrawal of Syria from Lebanon. The protest movement resulted in the formation of a coalition called the 14 March Alliance, a collection of various political groups in Lebanon united in their anti-Syrian stance, and a counter-protest movement and alliance called the 8 March Alliance. The division of political parties into these two coalitions continues to impact Lebanese politics. The Revolution also resulted in the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and the end of the Syrian occupation on 27 April 2005.