Lebanon: Dozens of protesters injured in Beirut during violent clashes

SANAA, Jan. 20 (YPA) – At least 145 people were injured in Beirut on Sunday during clashes between demonstrators and security forces who used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse them.

Also, on Saturday, similar clashes resulted in 377 people injured in unprecedented violence since protests against the political class began on 17 October.

Security forces in Beirut on Sunday used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse anti-authority protesters who threw stones at them, on a second day of violent clashes that left 145 people injured in a country hit by social, economic and political crisis.

Army and riot police reinforcements were sent to central Beirut, where demonstrators gathered at the entrance to an avenue leading to the parliament near Martyrs’ Square.

On the second night in a row, demonstrators threw stones and firecrackers at a security checkpoint preventing crossing through the road.

Police responded with water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets, according to AFP.

The Lebanese Red Cross said that 145 people were injured, 45 of whom were sent to hospitals. Two journalists were among the wounded, according to the official National News Agency.

The local channel al-Jadeed reported that the cameraman had sustained a hand injury  while he was covering the protests.

E.M