Date: Mar 15, 2019 Source: The Daily Star Politicians commemorate March 14 anniversary BEIRUT: Lebanese officials and politicians Thursday marked the anniversary of the March 14, 2005, rally that catalyzed the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after almost three decades. In a tweet Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Saad Hariri commemorated the rally: “March 14, 2005, is a historic day, on which the Lebanese laid the foundations of the state project of sovereignty and freedom. It is a long struggle that we continue to uphold by stabilizing security and the economy, protecting coexistence and strengthening state institutions and our democratic system," he wrote. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea tweeted: "For us, every day of the year is March 14." Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani also tweeted to mark the occasion. “#March_14 is beyond a time and place. ... It is a revolution and patriotic spirit,” he wrote. Fourteen years ago, more than 1 million Lebanese residents demonstrated in Downtown Beirut to demand the immediate withdrawal of the Syrian troops in the country. The March 14 rally was the climax of pressure put on Damascus to end its 29-year presence in Lebanon, which had intensified following the Feb. 14 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Saudi Arabia backed the March 14 protesters’ demands. It had hosted the 1989 Taif conference, which ended the Lebanese Civil War (1975-90) and established the Syrian presence in the country. The rally followed another demonstration held March 8, during which pro-Damascus Lebanese parties thanked Syria for staying in Lebanon. After the March 14 demonstration, several political parties formed the anti-Syria March 14 Coalition, including the Free Patriotic Movement, founded by President Michel Aoun. But following sharp political disputes, which saw the FPM break off and form an alliance with Hezbollah and pro-Syria parties, the Western-backed March 14 Movement collapsed, and is now defunct.