Downtown Beirut Turns into War Zone as Police Battle Anti-trash Protesters
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Police used tear gas and water cannon on Saturday to disperse thousands of anti-garbage demonstrators in downtown Beirut's Riad al-Solh square and to stop them from moving towards the nearby Nijmeh Square, leaving scores of protesters injured.
The demonstrators said they were adamant to stay in the area and urged all the Lebanese people to join them but anti-riot police opened fire in the air and broke up the protest with baton charges.
The demonstrators later erected tents near Martyrs' Square, vowing to stay there until police release several activists they arrested during the protest.
Following their announcement, security forces said all the detainees were set free based upon the instructions of Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq.
A video shot by a protester on a mobile phone showed police opening fire at the demonstrators, which resulted in the injury of a young man in his waist.
Another man was heard shouting “killer” to a police officer.
The clashes turned parts of downtown Beirut into a war zone as the protesters hurled water bottles and rocks on police to stop security forces from chasing them out of the area.
The protesters were seeking to march towards the parliament in Nijmeh Square when the clashes erupted. Security forces had already put barricades to prevent them from reaching the legislature.
The Internal Security Forces said 35 policemen were injured in the confrontation with protesters whom it accused of trying to enter the security zone near the Grand Serail and the parliament.
They shouted slogans calling for the fall of the regime and for the resignation of lawmakers, saying the government is "dirty."
"The people want to topple the regime!" That's a phrase used by protesters during Arab Spring uprisings that toppled governments across the region. Others cried: "Revolution!"
One demonstrator held a placard showing photos of Lebanese politicians placed in trash bags, and saying: “Some trash should not be recycled.”
The Syndicate Coordination Committee and a large number of activists and artists attended the protest.
Several officials expressed regret on the use of force by police.
Education Minister Elias Bou Saab told LBCI: “I am not honored to be part of this government.”
Al-Mashnouq is responsible for the attack on the peaceful protesters, he said.
“This is a dark day in Lebanon's history,” Bou Saab added.
But al-Mashnouq said he is abroad and claimed that he has not asked police to open fire to disperse the protesters.
He also vowed to resolve the waste crisis during the cabinet session next Thursday.
Health Minister Wael Abou Faour urged police not to use force and asked demonstrators not to hurl stones on security forces.
“All those who have taken the decision to use force should be held accountable,” Abou Faour told LBCI.
He urged the demonstration's organizers to form a delegation to meet with Prime Minister Tammam Salam.
Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat used stronger words, saying “enough lying.”
“Al-Mashnouq is responsible (for the use of force) and he should leave,” he added.
Kataeb Party leader MP Sami Gemayel also said it was “unacceptable to deal with demonstrators this way.”
“All options are available,” he said when asked if Kataeb ministers would resign from the cabinet.
Change and Reform bloc MP Nabil Nicolas suspended his membership in parliament until the officials responsible for the use of force against demonstrators are held accountable.
The attack on the peaceful demonstrators sparked anger on social media.
“I prefer mosquitoes rather than such politicians to rule me,” said an angry Lebanese woman on Facebook.
“The government of water cannon will sooner or later fall,” said a man.
“Losers, corrupt, unethical, senseless politicians,” wrote another citizen on Facebook.
Earlier Saturday, the You Stink campaign, which had organized the protest, urged police to protect them and to not beat them similar to what happened on Wednesday during a demonstration.
The Lebanese government is locked in disputes and has failed to agree on a solution to Lebanon's garbage collection problem after Beirut's main landfill in Naameh was closed on July 17. Trash has accumulated on the streets meanwhile.
22 August 2015, 19:24
79
The big sharks must go away to leave the small sharks exposed so they can all be put in an incinerator and their ashes may be used to fertilize the new Lebanon.
I love the banner that says some trash should not be recycled (they forgot to put Nasrallah in it).
22 August 2015, 19:45
98
I like tear gas. I like water cannons. But not used against trash activists. These should be used against those who block roads every time something is not to their liking.
22 August 2015, 19:50
59
These people are the only honest and patriot people.
Down with politicians especially the Family Protected Mazra3a.
22 August 2015, 19:53
710
Lebanese politicians are trash!
they cannot even agree to drill the gas and oil off the Lebanese coast, and we think they can agree to remove the waste! They are the waste! They now want to extend their parliamentary term again? that is all they are good for... extending they own paid jobs for doing nothing!
22 August 2015, 20:08
86
Ado, Lebanese from Canada have traveled to join us, will you join us?
23 August 2015, 11:22
12
I just returned from Lebanon last month. If i was still there i would 100% join.
22 August 2015, 19:57
710
The interior minister water canons and tear gases the peaceful, real Lebanese citizens while Palestinians are allowed to block roads protesting the arrest of Asir!
22 August 2015, 20:10
89
Everyone who reads this thread must leave his or her home and join the demos, we need to change this country and remove these sharks from power, all of them, no new president, no new parliament, military crisis to replace the top brass, no solution to the garbage crisis, no solution to the electricity problem, nothing, this country is sinking, now we must put all our differences behind, we don't want to leave this country to the sharks, let's take it back from them, 70 years and they are still sucking our blood. Please people, everyone, let's join our noble brothers and sisters in Riad El Solh, the time for change has started, NOW!!!
23 August 2015, 17:06
10
Interesting. You say 70 years. So you count from 1945. while lebanese count frim 1943. the time when 7 villages were not occupied. Those 7 villages that you claim are not lebanese territory
22 August 2015, 20:45
106
Ladies and gentlemen thank you for the wonderful poster and the witty slogan especially that you "very wisely" forgo using my divine likeness as part of the collage of all leaders and some of their cabinet reps. BTW I've very been busy with a cockroach infestation down here in my lavish underground abode herein known as "The Wet House" but when did the Saudi Geagea and Zionist LF join the cabinet? I've noticed how you've included him on the poster... à ma place?
22 August 2015, 21:06
00
For once I don't see the sleazy trash talk of the 14ers & 8ers who reflect their ugly pimp daddies! Love you Lebanon and first time in a long time I see pride in people carrying only the Lebanese flag! Gathering oomph and it will only get bigger by the day!
23 August 2015, 01:12
115
I was hoping frequent posters on this forum like mowaten, southern, mystic, f.t, and others would also express similar outrage. I knew not to expect that, but I kept a slim hope. Them, not posting in support of the protest is undeniable proof that they are part of the trash the protesters and revolting against. They probably are the small sharks I alluded to in my previous post. They are probably happy to see this on the ground that when all collapses HA is in great position to fill the void.
23 August 2015, 17:09
30
genocidal zionist vomit uses many nicknames to support his insane fantasy
23 August 2015, 12:50
12
ebnan thawal mn lebnan al akdar ila lebnan elzebaly..ya haram shou sar b-l
23 August 2015, 16:55
20
look at those zionist takfiri trasn barking here. They scream "state state" but when state does something that is not according to their treasonous wishes, they want to topple government and make chaos. Congratulations to police, beat those traitors into submission. BEAT THEM UNTIL THEY CONFESS THAT MOSSAD PAID THEM TO WREAK HAVOC!!! too bad police used just rubber bullets, should have used real ones
23 August 2015, 16:58
10
lebanese will not join zionist scheme to spread chaos in lebanon. You can only jerk in your dreams about it
23 August 2015, 16:59
10
of course you do, since we killef bunch of your people in 2006. but that is nothing compared to what we will do in next war
23 August 2015, 17:03
01
Very weird indeed, I honestly don't see who in Lebanon would be against what peacelover said, meaning they would want to keep this rotten government... But then again, we know many people on this forum are not Lebanese (wink wink hasbara trolls)
23 August 2015, 17:07
00
No, the real problem in this country is people like you who promote sectarian hate, so the only viable solution is to educate or eradicate your kind, whichever is more convenient.
23 August 2015, 17:08
20
the only viable solution is eradication of genocidal zionist entity and new holocaust. Than creatures like you will nit exist
23 August 2015, 17:22
20
But the government did find solution for garbage. In akkar. But of course takfiri zionist traitors said no. Because they scream "state state" only when they feel that state suits them. But when state does something that is not in their favour...well it is revolution than??!?!
filthy traitors sponsored by saudi and zionist money
23 August 2015, 19:34
00
You people realize that bacteria has no religion right? pathetic herd... THE PLAGUE is a historical recurrence aimed at destroying large chunks of a population without military intervention.
If you do not protest, no matter what you think your god is capable of, you will die of whatever illnesses start spreading as soon as it rains.
Wake up
