Lebanese fire tear gas at protesters over trash crisis

Riot police in Lebanon have clashed with protesters in the capital city of Beirut over the country’s mounting garbage crisis, APA reports quoting Press TV.

Witnessed said Lebanese security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse anti-garbage demonstrators and to stop them from moving towards the nearby parliament house.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam was due to hold a news conference on Sunday to address the crisis that some politicians warned could threaten to bring down his national unity government that has maintained a semblance of central authority and helped to contain sectarian tensions.

Garbage started piling up in Beirut after July 17, when the main landfill for Lebanon’s capital was closed before officials had agreed on an alternative site.

Organised by the “You Stink” campaign, the demonstrators gathered in Riad al-Solh Square near the parliament building and chanted slogans against the government and political leaders.

Police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon after some tried to break through a security cordon.

At least 15 demonstrators were injured including one who was in critical condition, the Red Cross said.

Some residents have resorted to burning trash on the streets, sending toxic fumes over the city’s skyline and into homes. Another protester carried a poster reading: “Some trash should NOT be recycled” written in red over photos of Lebanese politicians.

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. He also pledged to resolve the trash crisis at next week’s Cabinet meeting.

The tiny, fragile country with a strong sectarian divide has managed to survive the Arab Spring uprisings that toppled Arab dictators, the onslaught by the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq and the fallout from 1.2 million Syrian refugees now straining its economy.

The presidency has been vacant for more than a year, and the parliament elected in 2009 has extended its own term and postponed elections until 2017 on the grounds of instability.