Thousands gather for Hariri funeral in Beirut

Thousands of mourners gathered in Beirut today for the funeral of former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri.

Mr Hariri, 60, was killed in a bomb explosion, on Monday in which 14 others were killed. It is believed to have been a suicide car bomb attack.

Mr Hariri's coffin, which was draped with a Lebanese flag, was brought to his home in West Beirut, along with the bodies of several of his bodyguards, who were also killed in the attack.

The funeral cortege then travelled to the Muhammad Amin Mosque, amid a huge security presence, including heavily armed police, soldiers and armoured vehicles. Thousands of mourners gathered around the mosque, making it virtually impossible for Mr Hariri's sons to carry the coffin inside.

It was reported that many people were crying, although some members of the crowd also chanted anti-Syrian slogans. Opposition leaders and many Lebanese people have blamed both the Lebanese and Syrian governments for Mr Hariri's death, although both governments have denied any involvement.

The United Nations has also called for Syrian troops to be withdrawn from Lebanon. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, issued a statement saying that he hoped there would be "clear signs" of a withdrawal of troops from the country within the next two months.

Mr Hariri, a self-made billionaire, served as Prime Minster of Lebanon from 1992 – 98 and again from 2000 until his resignation last October.

He was regarded by many as hugely influential in the rebuilding of the country following the 15-year civil war, which devastated Lebanon in the late '70s and into the 1980s.

There have been fears that his assassination could spark renewed conflict in the country, not seen since the war finally ended in 1990.

(KMcA/SP)