Thousands of people filled the streets of central Beirut on Friday and demonstrators voiced support for the Palestinian uprising against Israel. The celebrations were heavy with reminders that the end of occupation in Lebanon has not brought peace to the region. As the politicians spoke, Palestinian Islamic militants carried out two suicide attacks to mark the anniversary, and Israeli soldiers shot and wounded a Palestinian man on the Lebanese-Israeli border. On Thursday, Israel shot down a Lebanese civilian plane it feared was on a terrorist mission. Hezbollah elevated An anniversary rally in Beirut brought together Lebanon's Christian President Emile Lahoud, Sunni Muslim Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Shia Muslim speaker of parliament Nabih Berri and the head of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, Hassan Nasrallah.
Resistance is still our best weapon to face Israeli aggression.
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud Hezbollah has been elevated to the status of a liberation army over the past year and Lebanese parties have publicly closed ranks in support of its continued resistance against Israel. They claim that Israel's withdrawal was incomplete because it did not leave the disputed Shebaa Farms border area. The UN disagrees, but Hezbollah fighters carry out sporadic operations there and, during this anniversary week, renewed threats to attack. The rally also demonstrated support for Syria's strong military presence in Lebanon, despite deep divisions about its political control of the country. The Israeli pullout sparked an unprecedented debate about Syria's role in Lebanon.