CHRONOLOGY-Key events in Lebanon since Hariri's killing

13 Apr 2005 18:06:59 GMT Source: Reuters

BEIRUT, April 13 (Reuters) - Lebanon's pro-Syrian prime minister, Omar Karami, quit on Wednesday, abandoning efforts to form a government to lead the country to general elections.

Here is a chronology of events in Lebanon since former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri was killed in a bomb blast:

Feb. 14, 2005 - Hariri is killed by bomb in Beirut, along with 18 other people.

Feb. 16 - At least 150,000 Lebanese turn Hariri's funeral into outpouring of anger against Syria.

-- United States renews demand for Syria to end 29-year-old military presence in Lebanon.

Feb. 23 - U.S. President George W. Bush says Syria must also withdraw its security agents, echoing French President Jacques Chirac's remarks that they control Lebanon.

Feb. 24 - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urges Syria to withdraw troops before he reports to Security Council in April.

Feb. 28 - Prime Minister Omar Karami resigns amid anti-Syrian protests on day parliament debates Hariri's killing.

March 2 - Opposition demands withdrawal of Syrian troops and intelligence agents, and removal of pro-Syrian security chiefs.

March 3 - Pro-Syrian politicians call for government of national unity, ignoring tough conditions set by opposition.

-- Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah tells Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to meet world demands for immediate withdrawal.

March 5 - Assad tells Syrian parliament troops will start phased pullout from Lebanon.

March 6 - Hizbollah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah says his fighters will not disarm as Lebanon needs them to deter Israel.

March 7 - Assad and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, meeting in Damascus, say they respect all Security Council resolutions, including one demanding that foreign forces quit Lebanon.

March 8 - Lebanese flood central Beirut for big pro-Syrian rally organised by Hizbollah.

-- Syrian troops begin redeploying to eastern Lebanon in first stage of withdrawal plan.

March 10 - Lahoud reappoints Karami to form government.

March 11 - Almost all Syrian troops leave north Lebanon.

March 14 - Anti-Syrian protesters stage huge demonstration, Lebanon's biggest since Hariri's killing.

March 16 - Syrian intelligence agents vacate Beirut headquarters.

March 19 - Bomb in mainly Christian suburb of Beirut wounds 11 people.

March 22 - Annan meets Assad at Arab summit in Algiers, says he expects Syria to provide timetable for withdrawal.

March 23 - Bomb tears through shopping mall in Christian town of Kaslik north of Beirut, killing three people.

March 26 - A car bomb explodes in the industrial estate in Dikwanah suburb in Christian east Beirut, wounding eight.

March 27 - Syria abandons its last air defence positions in the eastern Bekaa Valley. Syria has already withdrawn over a third of its 14,000 troops in Lebanon since Hariri's death.

April 3 - Syria says it will withdraw all its troops and intelligence agents from Lebanon by April 30.

April 13 - Karami resigns again saying he had hit a wall in trying to form a cabinet whose task it would be to supervise elections.