Police deploy tear gas as Lebanon protesters try to break into parliament building following massive Beirut explosion
Huge crowds have gathered near Lebanon's parliament building, blaming the government for the massive ammonium nitrate explosion. Police responded with tear gas after demonstrators threw stones and tried to break the barriers.
Livestreaming video from the streets shows riot police armed with shields pushing forward to disperse crowds from outside the parliament building as tear gas fills the air. Protesters, mostly masked to protect themselves from Covid-19, are throwing rocks and projectiles directly at the security forces – with some of them hurling the projectiles directly back – and refusing to leave.
Thousands gathered on Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square, next to the parliament building on Saturday, angry at the government of President Michel Aoun and demanding justice for the victims of Tuesday’s blast that claimed over 150 lives, injured thousands, and left up to 300,000 homeless.
آلاف المتظاهرين يشتمون رئيس الجمهورية الفاقد للشرعية ميشال عون في #بيروت. #لبنان_ينتفضpic.twitter.com/hNvQnUuZq7
— Radio Sawt Beirut (@SawtBeirut) August 8, 2020
Cutouts of what appears to Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of Hezbollah, and other Lebanese politicians were placed in nooses set up by the demonstrators.
The Lebanese people know exactly who is the criminal and who is responsibleHezbollah militia that killed the Syrians is also killing the Lebanese in a different wayThey hung up the noose#Lebanon#Beirut#لبنان_ينتفض#لبنان#بيروت#سورياpic.twitter.com/sSSyEM6jsm
— Mohammed Ghorab (@MGhorab3) August 8, 2020
Video shows that more demonstrators were marching toward the square from Mar Mikhael, one of the areas heavily impacted by the explosion. The protesters are calling for the government to be removed. The tragedy struck the country at a time when the citizens are already disgruntled over economic turmoil.
March just departed from Mar Mikhael - one of the most impacted areas from the explosion - towards Martyrs' Square in downtown Beirut. Calls to overthrow and behead the regime abound. pic.twitter.com/gtL6270xZv
— Nadim El Kak | نديم القاق (@NadimElkak) August 8, 2020
Saturday’s protest became tense with protesters trying to get close to Parliament and attempting to work their way past barricades protecting the building.
Huge crowds attempt to break in the parliament building in downtown #Beirut, riot police respond with #teargas MORE: https://t.co/8awdHbVJlgpic.twitter.com/mJKtTOCvKn
— RT (@RT_com) August 8, 2020
Local media described the scene in central Beirut as a “battlefield,” as protesters run from security forces and throw tear gas back at them. Emergency vehicles can also be seen in the area.
Police confirmed to Reuters that bullets had been fired after shooting was heard at the scene of the demonstrations. TV coverage also showed several protesters badly injured from rubber bullets, the news agency said.
Rocks and sticks come out, as protestors trying to break their way into ‘securuty zone’ city center and parliament building area, protected by blast walls. Crowd swelling as tear gas fired by riot police on the inside. It’s going to be a long night. #Beirutpic.twitter.com/vyL6AjyXuX
— Habib Battah (@habib_b) August 8, 2020
Protesters eventually stormed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters where they hung a banner calling for a demilitarized Beirut and smashed a framed picture of Michel Aoun, the president of Lebanon.
Lebanese Foreign Ministry building now.#Lebanon#BeirutExplosionpic.twitter.com/Jw6eOEQYbs
— Yeghia Tashjian (@yeghig) August 8, 2020
The ammonium nitrate that caused the massive explosion in Beirut on Tuesday is currently being investigated, but many already believe it to be the result of negligence, as the highly explosive chemical was stored at a port for six years with little to no oversight or security measures.
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