Beirut blast: Lebanese protesters met with TEAR GAS as anti-government sentiment rages

The demonstrations follow a huge explosion which rocked the city on Tuesday, leaving at least 157 people dead at the time of writing and injuring around 5,000. It is understood the blast was caused by thousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate which had been stored unsafely at a Lebanon port for around seven years.

Allegations of government negligence have given rise to yesterday’s protests – which were met with tear gas.

According to reports, a protest with dozens of people formed outside of the government’s parliament, and several were injured.

State-run National News Agency reported the protesters had been throwing stones at security forces.

It is understood the demonstrators were calling for the government to resign, and also urged those responsible for the deadly blast to come forward.

Protestor in Lebanon

An anti-Lebanese government protestor during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the country yesterday (Image: AFP / Getty)

Allegations of government negligence have given rise to yesterday’s protests – which were met with tear gas.

According to reports, a protest with dozens of people formed outside of the government’s parliament, and several were injured.

State-run National News Agency reported the protesters had been throwing stones at security forces.

It is understood the demonstrators were calling for the government to resign, and also urged those responsible for the deadly blast to come forward.

READ: Donate to Beirut: How to help Lebanon recover after devastating explosion

Emmanuel Macron embracing a resident

Emmanuel Macron embracing a resident during his visit to Lebanon yesterday (Image: Abd Rabbo Ammar / ABACA / PA Images)

Already, 16 people have been arrested in connection with the devastating explosion, and a number of others are being investigated, according to Lebanese judge Fadi Akiki.

Among those questioned include officials from the Port of Beirut and the Customs Department.

The country’s central bank has confirmed the bank accounts of port and customers executives have been frozen.

In addition, Judge Akiki said employees in Warehouse 12 – where the ammonium nitrate was stored – are also being questioned.

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Beirut resident sweeping debris

A Beirut resident clears a street of debris after the blast (Image: Fadel Itani / NurPhoto / PA Images)

French President Emmanuel Macron has joined in criticising the authorities in Lebanon.
He said the country’s leadership needed “deep change”, and visited the site of the blast yesterday.

During his visit, video footage appeared to show a crowd of people shouting that Lebanon’s president – Michael Aoun – is a “terrorist”.

Mr Macron also called the blast a “metaphor for Lebanon’s current crisis,” and called for a “new political order.”

He also said that an international investigation into the explosions was needed in order to “prevent things from remaining hidden.”

Beirut blast graph

Beirut blast graph (Image: EXPRESS)

According to reports, residents of Lebanon appeared to call out to Mr Macron as he walked around the city, with one pleading with him: “Please don’t give money to our corrupt government.”

This week’s deadly blast in Beirut came at a time of economic crisis for Beirut, analysts say.
Reports note protest movements had already been formed as last October to demonstrate against the ruling political class.

Following Tuesday’s blast, two prominent Lebanese figures have already resigned, according to Middle East news site Al Arabiya.

Beirut blast

A mushroom cloud seen rising from the site of the blast on Tuesday (Image: Anwar Amro / AFP / Getty)

One was Lebanon’s ambassador to Jordan, who citied “total negligence” by the government.

The other was lawmaker Marwan Hamadeh, who stepped down on Wednesday.

source: express.co.uk