Thousands of supporters have gathered in downtown Beirut to mark the 20th anniversary of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination.

Thousands gathered in the centre of Beirut on Friday to mark the 20-year anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafic Hariri. His killing sparked a wave of demonstrations across Lebanon and the withdrawal of occupying Syrian forces in 2005.

Thousands gathered in Beirut Friday to mark 20 years since the assassination of ex-premier Rafic Hariri, and to call for the return of his son Saad to political life. On Friday, thousands of flag-waving Hariri supporters began gathering at his father's burial site in Beirut.