BEIRUT, (Reuters) – Protests against the Lebanese government turned violent for a second day yesterday, and Prime Minister Tammam Salam threatened to resign as public discontent brought thousands into the streets.
Anger at the Salam-led unity cabinet grouping Leba-non’s fractious politicians has come to a head over its failure to resolve a crisis over garbage disposal that reflects the wider failings of the weak state.
Salam’s cabinet has been hamstrung by political and sectarian rivalries that have been exacerbated by wider crises in the Middle East, including the war in neighbouring Syria.
Salam, in a televised address, warned that Lebanon was headed towards collapse and that a bigger problem than the trash crisis was the country’s “political garbage”.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Beirut this weekend as part of the “You Stink” campaign directed at the government.
Water cannon and tear gas were fired at protesters, and demonstrators threw rocks and sticks at riot police as violence flared near Salam’s offices in central Beirut.
Security forces fired into the air, clouds of tear gas wafted through the streets and shop fronts were smashed as police tried to force protesters from the area.
“The people want the downfall of the regime,” chanted protesters.
Similar scenes unfolded on Saturday night. Dozens of people have been hurt over the two days. Thirty members of the Internal Security Forces were injured, one seriously, the National News Agency said.
