Lebanon: Weekend Protests Turn Violent, Monday Sit-in Postponed

Monday, 24 August 2015

Lebanon: Weekend Protests Turn Violent, Monday Sit-in Postponed

A demonstration planned for Monday in downtown Beirut was postponed a day after protest turned violent.

“The protest planned for 6 p.m. Monday has been postponed for reasons that will be announced at a midday news conference,” “You Stink” campaigners said on its Facebook account.

The brief statement said "You Stink" would also clarify “everything that happened” during the weekend demonstrations that started peacefully and ended in violence.

downtown Beirut protest turned violent

Earlier on Sunday a protester was shot in his head as the demonstration turned violent. Some media reports said the protester has died from injury he had sustained. However, these reports can’t be confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Red Cross released a "final report" on Twitter early Monday that said 343 cases were treated at the scene in LRC field hospitals while 59 others were taken to local hospitals.

What began as a peaceful protest Saturday, organized by the "You Stink" movement, erupted into violence in Riad al-Solh and nearby Martyrs Square after riot police began using water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters trying to reach Nijmeh Square.

Protesters, angered by the police response, turned out in force again Sunday, in a largely peaceful protest that moved itself to Martyrs Square after some elements within the crowd began provoking a police response.

Those who remained in Riad al-Solh clashed with riot police on and off throughout the evening, setting street debris aflame amid a barrage of tear gas and water cannons. Around midnight the Army was called in to clear the area after the rioters began damaging public property, with several shop fronts smashed on Azariah Street.

The “You Stink” campaign first launched its campaign against the government after the closure of the Naameh landfill caused trash to pile up on the streets.

The government has so far failed to reach a decision on waste management because of political disputes among cabinet members.


Source: Websites	24-08-2015 - 10:19 Last updated 24-08-2015 - 10:33

Aoun Warns of Manipulation of Protest Movement

Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun denounced Sunday the use of force against protesters, warning against attempts to exploit the "noble" movement to achieve political gains.

Aoun

"We condemn the use of violence and live ammunition," Aoun said over his official Twitter account.

He called for holding the security forces responsible for the violence accountable, stating that they should stand trial.

A demonstration organized by the YouReek campaign escalated Saturday into clashes between police and protesters, with security forces using rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas to disperse thousands who joined the rally in Downtown Beirut.

"We will not be lenient" in this matter, Aoun said in a tweet.

The FPM chief also took a swipe at Prime Minister Tammam Salam and the Cabinet, saying "the authority that doesn't have legitimacy from the people and doesn't abide by the legality of its decisions contributes to the spread of chaos."

He praised the Lebanese youth who staged Saturday's protest in a "peaceful and civilized manner," noting that "they proved that they are aware and mature [enough] to demand their vital and just [human] rights."


Source: Websites	23-08-2015 - 14:49 Last updated 23-08-2015 - 14:49

Lebanese State Prosecutor Orders Investigation into Protest Violence

Lebanese State Prosecutor Samir Hammoud ordered Sunday that Military Prosecutor Judge Sakr Sakr open an investigation into Saturday's clashes in Beirut's Downtown area between activists and police.

Hammoud also tasked medical professionals with examining the wounded and issuing detailed reports on the injuries, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The medical examiners were ordered to determine in their reports the type of used ammunition against protesters, amid conflicting reports on whether police used rubber bullets or live ammunition in a bid to disperse the protesters.

The investigation will seek to identify which members of the security forces opened fire at demonstrators and question them regarding the orders they were given.

The state prosecutor also ordered the interrogation of protesters accused of assaulting security officers.

A demonstration organized by the YouReek campaign escalated Saturday into clashes between police and protesters, with security forces using rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas to disperse thousands who joined the rally in Downtown Beirut.

At least 75 demonstrators and 35 officers were wounded.