Beirut honored former Economy Minister Bassel Fleihan on the first anniversary of his death by dedicating a square to his memory at a ceremony that included a candle-light march.

The rally, organized by the Bassel Fleihan institution, started at 6 pm Sunday from Place de L'Etoile in downtown Beirut and ended at a small garden facing the Monroe hotel that was named Bassel Fleihan Square.

Fleihan's widow Yasma, family members, friends and politicians including Premier Fouad Saniora lit candles in front of a memorial plaque in the garden.

Saniora said that Fleihan worked hard and devoted himself to the country that he served along with Rafik Hariri.

Fleihan was traveling with the former premier in his car on Feb. 14, 2005 when a one-ton car bomb killed Hariri and 22 others. The former minister and Beirut MP miraculously survived the explosion with severe burns all over his body but he succumbed to his wounds at a Paris hospital on April 16.

"We vow to Basel Fleihan as we vow to ex-premier Hariri that we will continue defending Lebanon's independence, freedom and sovereignty," Saniora said.

Yasma thanked the Beirut Municipality for granting her husband's name to the square where Lebanese from all sects had gathered to pray for Bassel's recovery while he was in hospital.

Mayor Abdul Monem el Ariss praised Bassel's achievements and expressed his support for legislator Saad Hariri, the slain leader's son, and Saniora for carrying on the late premier's mission.