BEIRUT: Seven years after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, supporters of March 14 parties see an unfinished Cedar Revolution and say that many problems in the nation have worsened. “It’s still not done because we are still searching for democracy in our country,” says Claude Merheb, who works in the Beirut Souks.

Merheb adds that he is pleased with the progress that has been made but remains concerned with a host of issues ranging from cross-confessional relations to the safety of political leaders.

Many March 14 supporters share the sentiment: They are dissatisfied with the degree to which Lebanon’s internal politics is still unsettled.

Just weeks after the massive 2005 explosion in Beirut that killed the former premier, protesters and politicians took to the streets, demanding justice, independence and reform of Lebanon’s fractious political scene.

The immediate gains were overwhelming. The 29-year Syrian military presence in Lebanon ended and a measure of independence was restored to the country, which had been under the sway of its larger neighbor since its inception.

But lasting change remains elusive. March 14 supporters are disappointed with the level of change that their coalition has been able to bring.

Leaders of the coalition who reside in Lebanon have had their lives threatened, while others choose to live abroad for their own safety.

They currently do not hold the reins of power and were unable to unite the country when in the government just a year ago.

Thousands of chairs were being lined up Monday night at Beirut’s International Exhibition and Leisure Center for Tuesday’s rally to remember Hariri and revive March 14’s support base.

Over 3,000 politicians, diplomats and activists are expected to gather for the rally that will feature a televised speech by the late premier’s son, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

Speeches are expected to focus particularly on the Syrian situation.

March 14 General Secretary Fares Soueid has said that the gathering would be an opportunity to announce the coalition’s “unanimous support” for the popular pro-democracy demonstrations in Syria. Syrian opposition leader Burhan Ghalioun is also expected to address the rally via recorded video.

As the Syrian crisis descends into chaos, many Lebanese are frustrated that they must still look to Syria to divine their nation’s political fortunes.

For Rola, a marketing worker in Beirut, the promises of moderate politics where leaders can offer their opinion without fear has been undermined by political infighting and sectarianism.

“I don’t think that they achieved any of the things we are fighting for,” she says.

“At the end of the day so many things didn’t change, so many became worse.”

For Rola, the moment to capitalize on an unprecedented level of political unity was squandered.

“It’s become even more edgy and tense,” she says.

But in the views of many people the inability of the Cedar Revolution to continue beyond its initial gains has as much to do with the collation’s own failures as the opposition’s successes.

“It’s not as simple or as one-sided as we think it is,” said Rola.

Changes have come in fits and starts. Saad Hariri’s government was able to make minor political changes but overall the larger themes of the 2005 uprisings have been lost to broader narratives of regional and religious fractures that remain as riven as ever.

“During the last seven years bits and pieces have changed,” said Noah Hasan, a 28-year-old engineer.

“But it all depends on what happens in Syria.”