At least six policemen suffered injuries as protesters threw rocks and other projectiles at a police formation blocking the way toward Lebanon’s parliament, a heavily fortified square, Reuters reported.
Lebanon youth tonight #YouStink #beirut pic.twitter.com/5ROjGl8sIw
— Jessy El Murr (@JessyTrendSKY) October 8, 2015
This week’s parliamentary session aimed to find solutions to the country’s ongoing political crisis. A three-day “national dialogue” started on Tuesday, but was postponed until October 26 after Thursday’s clashes.
Hate the tear gas. They are still firing it. Makes it near impossible to stay #youstink #طلعت_حرب pic.twitter.com/jboxJtEKzb
— Bissan Fakih (@Jafra_) October 8, 2015
16 September 2015, 15:11 GMT
Discontent with the country’s authorities has repeatedly provoked street protests in Lebanon in recent months. In July widely perceived incompetence and corruption led to a protest campaign dubbed “You stink,” as public utilities failed to clean garbage from the streets, where it was left to rot away in the heat.
Disagreement between Lebanon’s main political forces has left the country without a president for more than a year. The Saudi-backed Sunni-led Future Movement is in direct confrontation with the Iran-backed Shiite party Hezbollah, with each party supporting confronting sides in neighboring Syria as well.
Protesters chant slogans as riot policemen block a street leading to the parliament building during a protest against perceived government failures, including a rubbish disposal crisis, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015.
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© AP Photo / Hussein Malla
Lebanese anti-government protesters remove barriers that blocked a road linked to the parliament building, during a protest against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces used water cannons and eventually fired tear gas canisters to disperse some dozens of anti-government protesters who tried to get past security barricades and reach parliament.
Lebanese protesters clash with riot police during a protest in Martyr square, Downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces fired a water cannon at scores of anti-government protesters on Thursday, Reuters witnesses said. The crowd chanted "the people want the fall of the regime" as riot police surrounded them in downtown Beirut. Lebanon has been hit by weeks of protests by people angry about political paralysis, corruption and poor infrastructure in the country.
Protesters hold on to each other as they are sprayed with water from police water cannons in Martyr square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to break up an anti-government protest in Beirut on Thursday, and the country's fractious leaders postponed talks aimed at resolving a political crisis that is feeding public discontent.
A protester and a cameraman (R) cover their faces as they are affected by tear gas fired by security forces in Martyr square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to break up an anti-government protest in Beirut on Thursday, and the country's fractious leaders postponed talks aimed at resolving a political crisis that is feeding public discontent.
A man carries a protester affected by tear gas released by security forces in Martyr square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to break up an anti-government protest in Beirut on Thursday, and the country's fractious leaders postponed talks aimed at resolving a political crisis that is feeding public discontent.
7/8
© AP Photo / Hussein Malla
A Lebanese anti-government protester kicks back a tear gas canister shot by security forces during a protest against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces used water cannons and eventually fired tear gas canisters to disperse dozens of anti-government protesters who tried to get past security barricades and reach parliament.
Protesters chant slogans as riot policemen block a street leading to the parliament building during a protest against perceived government failures, including a rubbish disposal crisis, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015.
Protesters chant slogans as riot policemen block a street leading to the parliament building during a protest against perceived government failures, including a rubbish disposal crisis, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015.
2/8
© AP Photo / Hussein Malla
Lebanese anti-government protesters remove barriers that blocked a road linked to the parliament building, during a protest against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces used water cannons and eventually fired tear gas canisters to disperse some dozens of anti-government protesters who tried to get past security barricades and reach parliament.
Lebanese protesters clash with riot police during a protest in Martyr square, Downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces fired a water cannon at scores of anti-government protesters on Thursday, Reuters witnesses said. The crowd chanted "the people want the fall of the regime" as riot police surrounded them in downtown Beirut. Lebanon has been hit by weeks of protests by people angry about political paralysis, corruption and poor infrastructure in the country.
Protesters hold on to each other as they are sprayed with water from police water cannons in Martyr square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to break up an anti-government protest in Beirut on Thursday, and the country's fractious leaders postponed talks aimed at resolving a political crisis that is feeding public discontent.
A protester and a cameraman (R) cover their faces as they are affected by tear gas fired by security forces in Martyr square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to break up an anti-government protest in Beirut on Thursday, and the country's fractious leaders postponed talks aimed at resolving a political crisis that is feeding public discontent.
A man carries a protester affected by tear gas released by security forces in Martyr square, downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to break up an anti-government protest in Beirut on Thursday, and the country's fractious leaders postponed talks aimed at resolving a political crisis that is feeding public discontent.
7/8
© AP Photo / Hussein Malla
A Lebanese anti-government protester kicks back a tear gas canister shot by security forces during a protest against the ongoing trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015. Lebanese security forces used water cannons and eventually fired tear gas canisters to disperse dozens of anti-government protesters who tried to get past security barricades and reach parliament.
Protesters chant slogans as riot policemen block a street leading to the parliament building during a protest against perceived government failures, including a rubbish disposal crisis, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon October 8, 2015.
