Protests continue in Beirut and a number of Lebanese areas

Protests and demonstrations continued today in Beirut and some Lebanese areas demanding the speedy formation of a government, the improvement of the living conditions, and accountability for the corrupt.

Al-Hamra Street in Beirut witnessed on Tuesday evening confrontations between security forces and rioters, during which they threw stones at the security forces, who responded by firing tear gas bombs to disperse them. A number of protestors were arrested, the National Media Agency reported, adding that some demonstrators burned and destroyed some banks and public property in  Hamra street.

Secretary-General of the Lebanese Red Cross, George Kettana, announced that about 20 people, wounded in the confrontations, were transferred to the neighboring hospitals.

Protesters closed at dawn today the center of the  Banque du Liban in Baalbek, the Bekaa Valley, to protest against the bank’s policy. They also closed the Ogero Center and prevented employees from entering their workplaces.

Protesters closed the Kousba-Koura Highway by parking their cars, and they closed the international road in Alyia in both directions with flaming tires.

The road in the town of Saoufar was also closed, as the area witnessed crowding amid a heavy spread of the Lebanese army.

Protesters also closed the Halba highway in Akkar with dust, iron and plastic obstacles since Tuesday night.

Unidentified persons set fire on Tuesday midnight to the entrance of the Association of Banks in downtown Beirut, while the army worked to open roads at the intersection of the Ring Bridge, which the protesters had closed on Tuesday.

Since October 17, Lebanon has witnessed protests and demonstrations demanding better living conditions and accountability for the corrupt.

Inas Abdulkareem