Lebanon protests against Beirut government over rubbish dispute

Most of the protesters left when the demonstrations turned violent, the AFP photographer said, but hundreds regrouped in central Beirut and continued chanting.

The protest was organized by an online group calling itself “You Stink!” and other civil society groups.

At least one of the injured was in critical condition, a spokesman for the Lebanese Red Cross said.

“Some trash should NOT be recycled“, read one placard, above a pictures of Lebanese politicians. Some gunfire was heard within the streets, although there have been no studies of anybody shot or wounded.

Protesters called for the resignation of the government, blaming it for worsening the country’s political paralysis.

Some residents have resorted to burning rubbidh on the streets, sending toxic fumes over the city’s skyline and into homes.

The health minister warned this week that Lebanon could suffer a “major health catastrophe”.

The protesters clashed with the police forces on Wednesday, when police sprayed the activists protesting against the inability of the government to clean up the country of uncollected rubbish with water cannons.

He also vowed to resolve the waste crisis during the cabinet session next Thursday.

The interior ministry said it had ordered the release of protesters detained during the clashes, which saw youths hurling rocks at police during the attempt to storm a heavily protected security zone around the Saraya palace, the seat of government. Lebanese have rarely taken to the streets unless it was for a political cause backed by a political party. Those behind recent protests have urged more people to join them. That’s a phrase used by protesters during Arab Spring uprisings that toppled governments across the region. Parliament has extended its own term twice and has not convened because lawmakers differ on whether they can continue working before voting for a president. Lebanese security officials said the clashes killed three people and wounded 20. They included protesters and police, he said.

Riot police in Lebanon have clashed with protesters in the capital city of Beirut over the country’s mounting garbage crisis.