Au lendemain de l'assassinat du
Président Rafic El-Hariri

Some call it the Cedar Revolution, others the red white and green. No matter what name people choose to call it, it remains a monumental episode in Lebanon's young, but packed, history.

In 1976, Syrian troops were 'invited' to help solve the critical security situation present at the time. At the end of the civil war in 1990, their presence was still very much felt - both politically and militarily.

At that particular time, an agreement called the Taef accords was signed in the city of Taef in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In it, the Syrian government agreed to withdraw - in stages - from Lebanon and allow it to regain its sovereignty and freedom.

Fifteen years later, and until the assassination of former prime minister Rafic el Hariri, nothing had changed. The oppressive presence of the troops and Damascus' interventions in every day political life were an everyday reminder that Lebanon was neither free, nor autonomous.

It took a huge car bomb, massive collateral damage and a lot of angry people to start thinking that it was time for change. In an unprecedented popular movement, and during the 14 days following the Hariri assassination, people gathered in Martyrs' Square in the heart of Beirut to speak their heart.

On Sunday evening, the government issued an order to the Lebanese army and police to barricade the roads and set up checkpoints to prevent people from protesting on Monday - declared a day of strike by the opposition. The parliament was to convene on Monday to discuss the Hariri assassination and hold a vote of confidence for the - then - prime minister Mr. Omar Karameh.

Armed with flags, olive branches, banners, slogans and their passion for freedom, the Lebanese protestors were not going to be discouraged by the government's ban. Some gathered since Sunday night at Martyrs' Square (now baptized Freedom Square) to ensure they would be there to speak their mind the next day. Others headed to Beirut openly refusing to obey a government that they considered was not theirs.

On Monday evening, the protestors' efforts paid off. In a historical moment, the prime minister of Lebanon resigned under intense pressure from the opposing members of parliament. Democracy had prevailed. News of the PM's resignation traveled at the speed of light. The government was ousted by a popular movement of unseen proportions in the entire region.

As with the Ukrainian 'Orange Revolution', the Cedar Revolution was destined to bear its fruits. It was flowers - not force - that broke the security perimeter around Martyrs' Square. It was the echo of chants - not guns - that was heard throughout Beirut. It was a quite revolution that showed Lebanon, and the world, what this little country is capable of.

I witnessed, as I screamed my heart out with my friends, the masses make a difference. I witnessed free will emerging like a geyser from the undergrounds of people's souls.

Nonetheless, the revolution has just begun. We still have a long road ahead to rebuild a government, patch up our differences and most importantly: to build a true nation.