Lebanon celebrated Independence Day on Friday amid the growing threat of terrorism, the widening gap between Lebanon's political parties and the huge burden of the Syrian refugees.
The country marked 70 years of independence with an official ceremony staged in downtown Beirut.
Streets leading to the area were cordoned off from the early hours of Friday for the ceremony which was attended by President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, PM-designate Tammam Salam, diplomats and other dignitaries.
Suleiman, Berri and Miqati later headed to Baabda palace where they received well-wishers.
This year's independence comes as the country is barely standing 2 ½ years into Syria's war.
A string of deadly bombings and sectarian gunbattles linked to Syria has left hundreds of casualties in several areas, mainly Hizbullah strongholds - Beirut's southern suburbs and the Bekaa - and the northern city of Tripoli.