In short
On February 14, 2005, a massive truck bomb killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri and 21 others in Beirut, destabilizing the country and triggering the Cedar Revolution-a wave of protests that forced Syrian troops to withdraw after nearly three decades of occupation.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
On 14 February 2005, former Prime Minister of Lebanon Rafic Hariri was assassinated along with 21 others in an explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Explosives equivalent to around 1,000 kilograms of TNT were detonated as his motorcade drove near the St. George Hotel. Among the dead were several of Hariri's bodyguards and former Minister of Economy and Trade, Bassel Fleihan.
As it was happening
12 voices, 2327 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Hariri assassination
A truck bomb detonates near the St. George Hotel as Hariri's motorcade passes. The explosion kills 22 people, including Hariri and nine bodyguards. Hariri, a billionaire businessman and political leader, was traveling in an armored convoy after months of mounting tensions with Syria over his opposition to extending the Syrian-backed presidency of Emile Lahoud.
Voices from this moment (6)
The New York Times
Feb 15
“Former Lebanese Prime Minister Killed in Beirut Bombing”
Reuters
Feb 14
“Massive Bomb Kills ex-Lebanon PM Hariri, 21 Others”
Al Jazeera
Feb 14
“Beirut Rocked by Massive Explosion Killing ex-PM”
BBC News
Feb 14
“Lebanon's ex-PM Killed in Blast”
2 more voices - captured but not shown in this slot.
As it was happening
12 voices, 2327 days.
Day 0 · February 14, 2005
Hariri assassination
A truck bomb detonates near the St. George Hotel as Hariri's motorcade passes. The explosion kills 22 people, including Hariri and nine bodyguards. Hariri, a billionaire businessman and political leader, was traveling in an armored convoy after months of mounting tensions with Syria over his opposition to extending the Syrian-backed presidency of Emile Lahoud.
“Former Lebanese Prime Minister Killed in Beirut Bombing”
- The New York Times, Feb 15
“Massive Bomb Kills ex-Lebanon PM Hariri, 21 Others”
- Reuters, Feb 14
“Beirut Rocked by Massive Explosion Killing ex-PM”
- Al Jazeera, Feb 14
“Lebanon's ex-PM Killed in Blast”
- BBC News, Feb 14
“Assassinat de Rafic Hariri a Beyrouth”
- Le Monde, Feb 15
“A truck bomb detonates near the St.”
- Hariri assassination, Feb 14
Day 7 · February 21, 2005
Cedar Revolution begins
An estimated 100,000 Lebanese gather in downtown Beirut to mourn Hariri and demand Syrian withdrawal. The demonstrations grow into a sustained opposition movement that cuts across sectarian lines, uniting Sunni, Christian, and Druze communities against Syrian occupation.
“An estimated 100,000 Lebanese gather in downtown Beirut to…”
- Cedar Revolution begins, Feb 21
Day 28 · March 14, 2005
Pro-Syria rally
Hezbollah and its allies hold a counter-demonstration in Beirut, drawing hundreds of thousands in support of continued Syrian-Iranian influence in Lebanon. The rally underscores the deepening sectarian and geopolitical fault line exposed by Hariri's death.
“Hezbollah and its allies hold a counter-demonstration in…”
- Pro-Syria rally, Mar 14
Day 71 · April 26, 2005
Last Syrian troops withdraw
Syrian military forces complete their withdrawal from Lebanon, ending 29 years of military occupation. The pullout comes in direct response to Cedar Revolution pressure and international diplomatic pressure, particularly from the United States and France.
“Syrian military forces complete their withdrawal from…”
- Last Syrian troops withdraw, Apr 26
Day 104 · May 29, 2005
Parliamentary elections
Lebanon holds its first elections since Syrian withdrawal. The March 14 alliance, named after the pro-sovereignty protest date, wins a majority of seats, signaling Hariri's political legacy's immediate electoral power.
“Lebanon holds its first elections since Syrian withdrawal.”
- Parliamentary elections, May 29
Day 655 · December 1, 2006
UN tribunal established
The UN Security Council approves the creation of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to investigate Hariri's assassination. The tribunal operates under hybrid jurisdiction, combining Lebanese and international law.
“The UN Security Council approves the creation of the…”
- UN tribunal established, Dec 1
Day 2327 · June 30, 2011
Hezbollah members indicted
The Special Tribunal indicts four members of Hezbollah-Mustafa Badreddine, Hassan Habib Merhi, Assad Hassan Sabra, and Hassan Issa Sakr-for the assassination. All remain at large; Hezbollah denies involvement and rejects the tribunal's legitimacy.
“The Special Tribunal indicts four members of…”
- Hezbollah members indicted, Jun 30
Front pages.
3 outlets carried the story: The New York Times, Reuters, Al Jazeera.
Media coverage
What the world was reading.
5 pieces, ranked by how much they shaped the discourse.
Reuters
TV · United Kingdom · Feb 14, 2005
"Massive Bomb Kills ex-Lebanon PM Hariri, 21 Others"
Synthesized from period reporting - A car bomb detonated near Rafic Hariri's convoy in central Beirut, killing the former prime minister and at least 21 others in what witnesses described as one of the capital's deadliest attacks in years.
- Feb 14, 2005
Al Jazeera
TV · Qatar
"Beirut Rocked by Massive Explosion Killing ex-PM"
Synthesized from period reporting - AR: 'استهداف رفيق الحريري بعبوة ناسفة في بيروت' / EN: 'Rafic Hariri Targeted by Explosive Device in Beirut' - The blast, equivalent to approximately one ton of TNT, obliterated vehicles in Hariri's protective motorcade and shook buildings across downtown.
- Feb 15, 2005
The New York Times
Newspaper · United States
"Former Lebanese Prime Minister Killed in Beirut Bombing"
Rafic Hariri, who steered Lebanon's reconstruction after its civil war, was killed along with at least 20 others when a massive bomb tore through his motorcade near the St. George Hotel in downtown Beirut on Valentine's Day.
- Feb 14, 2005
BBC News
TV · United Kingdom
"Lebanon's ex-PM Killed in Blast"
Rafic Hariri, Lebanon's most prominent political figure of the past decade and a driving force behind post-war reconstruction, has been killed in a car bomb explosion in Beirut.
- Feb 15, 2005
Le Monde
Newspaper · France
"Assassinat de Rafic Hariri a Beyrouth"
Synthesized from period reporting - FR: 'Assassinat de Rafic Hariri a Beyrouth' / EN: 'Assassination of Rafic Hariri in Beirut' - L'ancien premier ministre libanais a ete tue avec au moins 20 autres personnes dans une explosion qui a dechire le centre-ville.
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Hariri assassination
en.wikipedia.org