MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Sunday, media reports and videos circulating on social media showed security officers using water cannons against demonstrators who have been protesting for days against government inaction.
Police open water cannons on protesters #Beirut #Lebanon #youstink pic.twitter.com/Hiu9lF6erL
— Bassem Mroue (@bmroue) August 23, 2015
According to the MTV television channel’s Sunday report, a demonstrator died after being hospitalized with a brain injury. The activists called on their supporters to leave the streets of Beirut and continue demonstrations Monday.
Powerful photo. After attacking protesters, police officer sits down & starts crying. You are one of us, sir. #Beirut pic.twitter.com/PzV8yaWmWS
— Rana Harbi (@RanaHarbi) August 23, 2015
The activists smashed several glass cases in Beirut and are attacking police cordons. According to the channel, around 40 people were hospitalized and 200 received on-site medical assistance.
Protestors throwing flowers at policemen. #Beirut #Lebanon #طلعت_ريحتكم pic.twitter.com/8fmY6jKiD5
— Joey Ayoub جووي أيوب (@joeyayoub) August 23, 2015
The protests in Beirut broke out on Wednesday after the country’s main landfill was closed last month. Since then, thousands of tons of garbage have been left uncollected as the officials failed to take measures.
The demonstrators call for the resignation of the government, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk and Environment Minister Mohammad Mashnouq amid the spreading garbage crisis.
Great pic, protester angry about Beirut trash situation clashes with police #youstink pic.twitter.com/IaklZMoOf7
— Monica Villamizar (@monica_vv) August 23, 2015
On Saturday, the police dispersed the demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans near the parliament with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. Dozens of protesters and policemen were injured in the scuffles.
Lebanon has been suffering from a political vacuum after then-President Michel Suleiman stepped down in 2014, and parliament repeatedly failed to agree on a candidate.
