A crowd estimated at 800,000 jammed Martyr's Square in downtown Beirut to take part in a protest against the ongoing Syrian occupation of Lebanon. The protesters chanted 'Freedom, sovereignty and independence' as they marched in a protest aimed at countering last week's demonstration by supporters of the Syrian backed militant group Hezbollah.

The boisterous crowd became quiet at 12:55 PM to mark the exact time former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was murdered. The assassination of Hariri set off the unrest in Lebanon as Syria was blamed for Hariri's killing. Damascus has denied any involvement in Hariri's death.

The protesters were also upset by the recent reappointment of pro-Syrian Prime Minister Omar Karami. 'They are challenging us, and we are here to show them that we will not accept,' banker Farid Samaha told The Associated Press. 'We are determined to liberate our country and we will not stop.'

Last week, Hezbollah organized a pro-Syria and pro-government rally that drew 500,000 people.

Syrian troops continued their partial withdrawal from Lebanon although Syrian dictator Bashar Assad indicated that Syrian troops would not completely evacuate Lebanon without further negotiations.