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Lebanese Security Forces Clash With Protesters in Beirut

VOA News

   Lebanese security forces fired tear gas Saturday at thousands of
   demonstrators who gathered in Beirut's main square to protest the
   government's management of the recent explosion that devastated large
   parts of the city.

   At the beginning of a planned protest, a small group of men started
   throwing stones at security forces as they tried to jump over barriers
   that were blocking entry to the parliament building. Police responded
   by firing tear gas at the protesters.

   A police spokesman said an officer was killed during scuffles. A police
   officer at the scene said that the officer died after falling down an
   elevator shaft when he was chased by protesters into a building in the
   area.

   The demonstrators also stormed the foreign ministry building while
   others in Martyrs Square set up symbolic nooses for politicians and
   chanted, "The people want the fall of the regime!"

   The protesters later set fire to a truck that was reinforcing barriers
   on a street leading to the parliament building.

   The Lebanese Red Cross said more than a dozen protesters were
   hospitalized and scores of others received medical treatment on the
   scene.

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