BEIRUT, Monday – Protests in Lebanon intensified as most protesters began to act violently by attacking the authorities and the legislature, following their anger over the tragedy in Beirut, August 4.
Thousands of protesters gathered in the Parliamentary constituency and threw stones at the building, demanding the government’s resignation following the explosion tragedy at Beirut Port last week.
The protest was held when an international contributor conference was launched to fund the cost of recovery as a result of the destruction.
Demonstrations became increasingly tense as protesters began fighting with police and army before authorities decided to withdraw from the protest site.
Authorities tried to disperse the protesters by releasing tear gas, while hundreds of men acted by throwing rubble from the blast at them.
The public attacked the legislature, which was blamed for failing to function properly leading to the tragedy.
On Sunday, Lebanese Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad announced her resignation from the government – the first minister to resign – since the blast that claimed more than 150 lives.
“After the big disaster in Beirut, I announced my resignation from the government,” she said in a statement that also apologized to the people.
Sources: ABC News, The Guardian