Lebanon marks anniversary of Hariri assassination

Waving flags, holding balloons and even praying, tens of thousands of Lebanese packed into a city square Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of former prime minister Rafik Hariri's assassination. The government deployed hundreds of troops to deter trouble, a day after two bombs killed three people. Troops in full combat gear and armored cars deployed in and around Martyrs' Square, where the country's two main rival groups were present: government supporters commemorating the Hariri's death, and opposition supporters continuing their daily sit-in to demand the government's resignation. The soldiers set up a razor wire barrier to separate the two groups. Police conducted body searches as people arrived at the square.