BEIRUT: Public and private institutions throughout Lebanon on Wednesday closed to mark the 19th anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Thousands of supporters of the late PM鈥檚 Future Movement from Beirut, Bekaa, and northern and southern Lebanon gathered at Hariri鈥檚 tomb in downtown Beirut to meet his son and ex-Lebanon premier Saad.

Crowds carrying Lebanese flags, Future Movement banners, and pictures of the former leaders, called for Saad Hariri 鈥� who arrived in the capital two days earlier for the memorial event 鈥� to return to Lebanon鈥檚 political arena two years after he moved to the UAE.

Access to Beirut鈥檚 Martyrs鈥� Square was blocked by traffic congestion as security forces marshalled the crowd which included representatives of several Lebanese political parties and parliamentary blocs.

Hariri arrived at his father鈥檚 tomb to cheers from his supporters and was accompanied by his aunt and former MP Bahia Hariri, and uncle Chafik Hariri.

They all recited the Qur鈥檃nic verses before Saad Hariri broke with security protocols to shake hands with supporters, despite heavy rain.

Speaking to journalists, he said: 鈥淧reserve the country. The pulse of the country is here, preserve it. Everything happens at the right time.鈥�

Followed by some of the crowd, he then left for his nearby home to meet with political figures and supporters.

He thanked 鈥渢hose who came to mark the 19th anniversary of the assassination of Rafik Hariri, who had a project for the future of this country and its people.鈥�

And he added: 鈥淚 will remain with you and by your side no matter where I am. At the end, and as the saying goes, everything happens at the right time, and Saad Hariri doesn鈥檛 leave the people.

鈥淭ell everyone that you have returned to the arena, and that without you, things can鈥檛 work out in this country. The pulse of the country is here. Preserve the pulse, preserve the country. We are together and I am by your side.鈥�

In a post on X, Rafik Hariri鈥檚 eldest son, Bahaa, said: 鈥淲ith a heavy heart, we commemorate the anniversary of Rafik Hariri鈥檚 assassination. This giant with a big heart who had infinite dreams for a country that has been divided and ruined by filthy hands for decades.

鈥淗e started by ending the civil war in Lebanon through the Taif Agreement, a fundamental pillar of the Lebanese political system.

鈥淗e also had a vision for the future of the Lebanese people who deserve a dignified, prosperous, and decent life, as well as state institutions that must be built on the foundations of justice, equality, transparency, and integrity.鈥�

Also in a post on X, Samy Gemayel, head of the Kataeb Party, said: 鈥淛ustice remains incomplete on the 19th anniversary of February鈥檚 crime that led to the death of Rafik Hariri, minister Bassel Fleihan, and 20 other victims, and wounded over 100 people.

鈥淒espite the judgments of the international tribunal that condemned the criminals and evidently confirmed Hezbollah鈥檚 involvement in the case, the murderers continue to be protected by Hezbollah which stands in the way of the truth and holds the country captive with its destructive totalitarian policies.鈥�

Tony Frangieh, son of former minister and Hezbollah鈥檚 presidential candidate Suleiman Frangieh, said that Lebanon 鈥渓acks visionary statesmen who work for the prosperity of the country, similar to Rafik Hariri.

鈥淢oderation and openness remain the cornerstone for Lebanon鈥檚 salvation and survival.鈥�