Promoted by the pro-government majority, the rally marking the anniversary of the murder of Hariri comes the day after bomb blasts struck two buses. The army is out in force, separating Martyrs’ Square from a neighbouring square where an opposition sit-in has been under way since December.

Beirut (AsiaNews) – Tens of thousands of Lebanese are gathering in the central Martyrs’ Square of Beirut to take part in a rally for the second anniversary of the killing of the ex-prime minister Rafic Hariri, which is being promoted by government parties. A river of people carrying Lebanese flags and with blue – the colour of the parliamentary majority – kerchiefs tied around their necks is flowing through the streets to take part in the meeting set to start at 11am local time.

Yesterday’s bombs struck two buses in a prevalently Christian area north of Beirut, prompting the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, to talk about an “anti-Christian attack”. Organizers of the rally were worried that the turnout would be low because of the blasts so they arranged to have security forces beefed up. The army is visibly present with tanks and it has put up a razor wire fence between Martyrs’ Square, where the tomb of the ex-prime minister is, and the neighbouring Riad al-Solh Square where around 100 loyal opposition supporters have been pressing ahead with a sit-in since 1 December.

Leaders of the majority are expected to address the rally: Saad Hariri, Walid Joumblatt, Amin Gemayel and Samir Geagea.

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• rally
• anniversary
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• hariri
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• bertone