Riot police used batons to beat back protesters yesterday among downtown Beirut's Ottoman-era buildings and lavish apartment complexes, while others were carried away, overcome by tear gas. Private television station LBC reported police attacked one of its crew.
"The people want to topple the regime!" protesters cried out, a slogan used during the Arab Spring protests that swept through the region.
Lebanese Red Cross spokesman George Kattaneh told The Associated Press that at least 15 protesters were wounded, one of them in critical condition. He said the numbers likely would rise as security forces battled with protesters into the night.
Yesterday saw the biggest demonstrations by far since garbage began piling up on the streets after the capital's main landfill was closed a month ago. An online group calling itself "You Stink!" and other civil society groups organised the rallies, calling on Lebanese to join them in a revolt against the corrupt system. They said they plan to stay in downtown Beirut near the government building and parliament.
"We want to live in our country," read one poster carried by a protester. Another read: "Some trash should NOT be recycled," written in red above photos of Lebanese politicians.
Some residents have resorted to burning trash on the streets, sending toxic fumes over the city's skyline and into homes. The health minister has warned of a catastrophe as some have started dumping trash in valleys, rivers and near the sea.
The protest began in Riyad Solh Square near the government building. Police fired tear gas and water cannons to beat back protesters after some of them tried to push through a security cordon. The protesters later moved to the nearby Martyrs' Square and pledged to stay the night.