Lebanon-160 wounded as Lebanon protesters clash with security forces

Dozens of people were injured in Beirut on Saturday as security forces employed tear gas and water cannons in collisions with demonstrators armed with tree branches and signposts near Lebanon’s parliament. The red cross reported that 65 wounded had been taken to hospital and 100 more were treated on site.

After a lull in largely peaceful protests which exploded in October, crowds spilt onto the streets again this week. They have been outraged by a ruling elite that has driven the country towards its most damaging economic crisis in decades.

The Internal Security Forces (ISF) said they were being “violently and directly” confronted and advised the public to leave the area. “Those who are rioting will be pursued, arrested and referred to the judiciary,” it said on Twitter.