gathered to receive the congratulations for the Lebanese independence from Lebanese and foreign well-wishers.

Prior to the official celebrations President Suleiman placed a wreath at the Statue of Martyrs in the center of Martyrs Square

For the first times since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war in Lebanon two military Hawker Hunter aircrafts participated in the parade. Lebanese military technicians succeeded in rehabilitating and refitting the 1959 aircraft following a long state of dormancy during the troubled war years.

Helicopter squadrons also flew over the military parade carrying the national flag.

The last official military parade in downtown Beirut was held in 2005. It is worth noting that for the first time since the end of the civil war representatives of the Syrian armed forces were not present at the parade celebrations. Syrian forces departed from Lebanon on 26 April 2005.

The 2007 independence anniversary coincided with the end of President Emile Lahoud's term in office. President Lahoud's allies at the time resigned and boycotted the government .
In 2006 Industry Minister Pierre Gemayel was assassinated on the eve of Independence Day celebrations.

It is interesting to note that former President Emile Lahoud was absent from the Independence Day celebrations in downtown Beirut and from Baabda Palace. Lahoud was a staunch ally of Syrian president Bashar al Assad , who forced the parliament in 2004 to extend his term by 3 more years

While all the celebrations were going on in Beirut , Al-Arabiya TV reported on Saturday that Hezbollah had been engaging in maneuvers south of the Litani River. The maneuvers according to Al-Arabiya TV focused on force deployments in mountainous areas and did not include any live ammunition . Hezbollah according to UNSCR 1701 resolution is banned from the south of the Litani River.

Hezbollah did not issue any official statement on the issue, but a Lebanese military official denied during an interview with Now Lebanon the Al-Arabiya TV report or any knowledge about the incident

Saturday

14:40 Mufti of the Republic Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani returned to Beirut from Yemen where he participated in the opening of the el Saleh Mosque
13:30 MPs Jumblatt, Hariri and Murr were absent from Baabda independence day celebrations...all out of the country

13:15 MP Jisr: we are awaiting the results of the investigation of the Bab al Tabbanah. All the military and security forces should abide by the law of the land
12:45 former Prime minister Omar karami and Hezbollah officials were absent from the Baabda independence day celebrations. No reasons were given

12:00: Absence of former President Emile Lahoud from Independence Day celebrations and congratulations at presidential palace was noted this year.

11:00: President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Berri and Prime Minister Siniora begin to receive congratulations at presidential palace on Independence Day.

10:50: Dignitaries and officials continue to arrive at Baabda Presidential Palace to present congratulations on Independence Day.

10:15: Military parade concluded at Martyr’s Square in Beirut.

10:00: al-Arabiya TV: Secret Hezbollah military maneuvers in south Lebanon coincides with Lebanese army military parade on Independence Day.

9: 25: Gazelle helicopters fly over parade.

9:23: Participating units commenced military parade as helicopters fly in cedar formation.

9:22: Parade leader issues order for parade to officially begin.

9:16: Two Hawker Hunter aircrafts fly over parade location accompanied by a squadron of military helicopters.

9:15: President Suleiman places wreath at martyrs memorial in downtown Beirut.

9:06 : President Suleiman salutes the flag as 29 artillery shots fired.

9:05 : President Michel Suleiman arrives at military parade, national anthem played.

9:00 : Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri arrives at the military parade.

8:56 : Political and military officials continue to arrive to downtown Beirut to attend military parade.

8:50 : Prime Minister Fouad Siniora arrives at the military parade.

08:50 Two car accidents occurred on Nahr al-Mot and Nahr al-Kalb highways and have resulted in major traffic jams. A Lebanese Red Cross car was involved in the first accident.

8:45 : Defense Minister Elias el-Murr arrives at military parade.

8:40 : Head of the Armed Foces General Jean Qahwaji arrives at military parade.

8:35 : Army Chief of Staff General Shawqi al-Masri arrives at military Parade.

8:30 : Military parade celebrating independence day begins in downtown.

7:50 : All preparations complete for soon to be launched military parade celebrating independence day.

7:35 : al- Mustaqbal Movement leader MP Saad Hariri leaves to Riyadh on a private visit.
7: 30 : Lebanon celebrates its 65th Independence today.

Friday

22:00 Sen. Hillary Clinton, New York Federal Reserve President Tim Geithner and former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson have all accepted posts in President-elect Barack Obama's cabinet, according to media reports. Clinton accepted the position of secretary of state, the New York Times reported. Richardson is in line to become Commerce secretary and Geithner was picked to be Treasury secretary, NBC News reported

20:30 Nayla Tueni managing Director of An Nahar newspaper and daughter of the former MP Gibran Tueni is evaluating the possibility of running for elections. Within few days she will decide whether to run or not in the 2009 parliamentary elections . If she decides to run she will make the announcement on the anniversary of her father's assassination : December 12 . Gibran was assassinated on December 12, 2005 and Syria was accused of being behind his murder.
During her father's funeral Nayla said : I am the daughter of a martyr, and a martyr never dies.....In the names of all those martyrs I solemnly swear our freedom will never die...My father is not dead! He will live through me...."

20:20: President Suleiman addressed the nation: Let’s move from the reality of power to that of the state. We have worked on reactivating the national dialogue over the past months. Young people can question and hold us accountable; we are in a democratic system that allows this and allows those it trusts to serve its independence. Independence is not a passing revolution but rather a continued work of faith and struggle. Independence is strengthened by moving away from corruption. Independence is not well established unless citizens are independent from poverty, this calls on government to pay attention to economic, educational and health issues. Independence is in strengthening our military capabilities. Independence means the judiciary is independent

19:40 : Defense Minister Elias el-Murr received U.S. State Department delegation headed by Nicole Chapman that heads Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Egypt bureaus at the State Department.

19:22 PM Fouad Siniora calls UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the Ghajar village issue.

18:00 French PM Fillon departed from Beirut airport after meeting privately with PM Siniora

16:30 : Lebanese Forces: We did not name nor did we adopt any candidate in Jazzine, any decision in this regard will be issued by the executive authority at the appropriate time.