BEIRUT: Riot police fired tear gas at demonstrators trying to break through a barrier to get to the parliament building in Beirut on Saturday (Aug 8) during a protest over the government’s handling of this week’s devastating explosion in the city.
About 7,000 people gathered in Martyrs’ Square in the city centre, some throwing stones.
Police fired tear gas when some protesters tried to break through the barrier blocking a street leading to parliament, a Reuters journalist said.
Ambulances rushed to the scene. One teenager fainted after being overcome by tear gas.
The protesters chanted “the people want the fall of the regime,” and held posters saying “Leave, you are all killers”.
Soldiers in vehicles mounted with machine guns patrolled the area amid the clashes.
“Really the army is here? Are you here to shoot us? Join us and we can fight the government together,” a woman yelled.
“We want a future with dignity, we don’t want the blood of the victims of the explosion wasted,” said Rose Sirour, one of the demonstrators.
