Dozens Injured in Beirut Protests

Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, witnessed protests on Sunday, September 1st, for the second consecutive day against corruption, mismanagement, and a lack of basic services. The protests ultimately turned violent when a group among the demonstrators clashed with security forces, resulting in at least 45 injuries. The protests began due to a waste crisis in Lebanon, where garbage has not been collected from the streets for nearly a month, causing foul odors and the spread of certain diseases. Additionally, the situation regarding water and electricity services in Lebanon has deteriorated significantly. Alongside these issues, Lebanon is grappling with an economic crisis and unemployment exacerbated by political tensions. On Sunday morning, a number of protesters gathered in Riad al-Solh Square in front of the Prime Minister's office. The Coordinating Campaign for Protests announced through media that due to the government's failure to comply with their demands, they would hold protests calling for the "removal of the government and parliament." In the hours leading up to the protests, the number of attendees in Riad al-Solh Square significantly increased, with estimates suggesting over 10,000 people in the area leading to the Prime Minister's and Parliament buildings. Security forces had taken special measures to prevent demonstrators from approaching government buildings. Given that the protests on Saturday had resulted in clashes between security forces and protesters, with organizers reporting gunfire directed at demonstrators, the slogans on Sunday emphasized the peaceful nature of the protests. Protesters insisted that their movement was not "sectarian or partisan" and demanded the "resignation of the government" and the "dissolution of parliament." They also stated that they would continue their street presence until a solution to their problems and their demands were met. Several Lebanese artists and television personalities also participated in the protests. While the organizers intended to read a statement to declare their positions and emphasize the continuation of the protest movement, a group entered the crowd chanting sectarian slogans, preventing the reading of the statement. This group's entry prompted the organizers to ask the people to move from Riad al-Solh Square to Martyrs' Square. They emphasized in discussions with the media that the actions of the newly arrived group had no connection to the "peaceful protests." Following this, the group began to attack and throw stones at security forces, moving towards the Prime Minister's office. The crowd then split into two sections; one group remained in Riad al-Solh Square chanting peacefully, while the other group engaged in clashes with security forces. The clashes continued with the firing of tear gas and live ammunition, spilling into the streets and alleys surrounding the Prime Minister's office. As a result of the violence at the end of the Beirut protests, at least 45 people were injured. By late evening, security forces cleared the streets around the Prime Minister's office and Parliament of protesters. Earlier reports had indicated that one person was killed, but Lebanese media later corrected this information. Under these circumstances, the fate of the protest movement remains uncertain, especially as concerns about the sectarianization of this movement have increased. However, some reports suggest that protests continued on Monday. In response, Tammam Salam, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, committed on Sunday morning in a press conference to punish those who "excessively used force" against protesters on Sunday. Salam did not accuse anyone of the violence but stated, "This violence will not go unpunished." He mentioned that the biggest problem in Lebanon is the "crisis of political waste." Tammam Salam indicated that if a decisive solution to the issues was not reached in the government meeting on Thursday, "continuing government sessions would be meaningless." Following Salam's remarks, General Michel Aoun, head of the "Change and Reform" bloc in the Lebanese Parliament, allied with Hezbollah, criticized the violence that erupted during the Sunday protests and called for the identification and punishment of the perpetrators. Michel Aoun also accused Tammam Salam of incompetence and making empty and unproductive statements. In contrast, Saad Hariri, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, supported Tammam Salam's positions.