BEIRUT: The mass protests following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut seven years ago laid the foundation for the current uprisings in the Arab world, leaders of the March 14 coalition said Tuesday.

In wide-ranging speeches in Downtown’s BIEL on the commemoration of the seventh anniversary of the assassination of Hariri, March 14 figures also slammed the Lebanese government for standing idle as the Syrian regime continues its brutal crackdown on an 11-month-old uprising in Syria.

Hariri and 22 others were killed and dozens of others wounded in an enormous explosion that targeted the former premier’s convoy as it passed through Ain al-Mreisseh on Feb. 14, 2005.

Although no officials from the opposition Syrian National Council attended the commemoration in Beirut, the SNC sent a formal letter to the March 14 coalition announcing their readiness to open a new page in relations between the countries after the collapse of the Syrian regime.

Kataeb (Phalange) Party leader Amin Gemayel said the popular uprising that took place in Beirut after Hariri’s assassination inspired many people in the Arab world who have taken to the streets in the past year demanding a transition to free and democratic political systems.

“The Cedar Revolution changed the face of Lebanon. While we freed Lebanon from foreign armies, Arabs today who have decided to follow our path are getting rid of their regimes,” said Gemayel. The Kataeb leader was referring to a series of protests in the aftermath of the Hariri assassination which led to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon after an almost 30-year presence.

Speaking at the gathering, Gemayel said that since 2005, some have attempted to forcibly end the Cedar Revolution. “Today we understand why they were trying to do that. Today we know why they tried to destabilize Lebanon. They did it because they feared the Cedar Revolution would quickly spread to their societies and democracy would reach their countries.”

“But the revolution did spread,” Gemayel added, in reference to the the Syrian uprising.

Peaceful demonstrations that started last March in Syria have been met with a brutal crackdown by the Syrian regime, and according to recent estimates by the United Nations, 6,000 people have been killed and thousands of others have arbitrarily been arrested.

“Is it possible that Arab societies are fighting regimes that rely on arms while we in Lebanon continue to live under the threat of arms?” asked Gemayel.

Gemayel, whose son Pierre was also assassinated in 2006, said that nothing can stop the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is investigating Hariri’s assassination.

“I am sure that there is no force that can stop STL’s work because justice will ultimately be achieved,” said the Kataeb leader.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea praised demonstrators in Syrian cities. “We salute you Homs, we salute you Deraa, Idlib, Zabadani, Hama ... Duma and Jisr al-Shoughour,” said Geagea in his speech.

“The brutal killings of innocent protesters in Syria are being justified under the pretext of resistance as happened and is still happening in Lebanon, whenever needed,” said Geagea, drawing a wave of applause and cheers from the crowd.

“This is a resistance in the face of people’s rights for change, freedom, dignity and justice ... this resistance is an occupation of people’s free will and dreams,” he added.

Hezbollah officials have repeatedly accused Syrian pro-democracy demonstrators of conspiring with foreign governments against the regime of President Bashar Assad.

Geagea also said that a free and a democratic Syria is a guarantee to Lebanon’s independence and an opportunity for reinstating good relations between both countries.

“I call on the world powers and especially countries in the region to join their efforts and put an end to the bloodshed in Syria, to end the shelling and killing of Syrians,” the LF leader said, adding that the Syrian people should decide their fate with freedom and dignity.

Geagea also criticized ministers within the Lebanese government for what he described as taking orders from the Syrian regime to arrest Syrian refugees in the country. “While many commanders within the Syrian army are refusing to follow the regime’s orders, some within the Lebanese government are competing to fulfill the regime’s demands,” Geagea said.

Following Geagea’s speech, a letter from the Syrian opposition was read by the March 14 General Secretary Fares Soueid. “The Syrian National Council salutes the martyrs of the Cedar Revolution, the SNC considers your [Lebanese] victory against Assad’s army as the first blow to this regime,” said the letter.

“Assad’s regime will ultimately collapse and Syria will have the best relations with Lebanon, a relation based on brotherly ties not based on slogans that the regime had adopted,” said the letter.

The SNC also said it vows to stand by Lebanon’s independence. “We reject the lies of the regime regarding terrorist groups in Lebanon ... we don’t need to use Lebanese territories in our struggle against Assad.”