Lebanese political, civil circles condemn Beirut's riots
Political and civil circles in Lebanon define the riots in central Beirut as part of a foreign conspiracy to divide Lebanon.
Iran Press/ Middle East: Protesters (affiliated to March 14 Alliance) stormed the Foreign Ministry building, government offices, and banks in Beirut on Saturday and killed at least a policeman and wounding 180 others.
In an interview with Al-Mayadin, Secretary of the Leadership Committee of the Independent Nasserite Movement Brigadier General Mustafa Hamdan stressed: "Those who attacked government institutions are seeking to create chaos in Lebanon."
Waleed al-Ashqar, one of the leaders of the Lebanese National Movement (LNM), also said: "Some rioters have targeted only the Lebanese National Movement."
The Lebanon protests began after Tuesday evening massive explosion which took place in a warehouse containing 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate in Beirut port, ending the killing of more than 158 and injuring 6,000 according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
A group of protesters stormed the foreign ministry in Beirut Saturday as rallies were held at the city’s Martyrs’ Square calling on officials to resign in the aftermath of deadly Beirut Port explosion.
Participants shouted slogans, blaming officials for negligence leading to the Tuesday blast. Some were hurling stones as the demonstrators tried to force their way past a barricade in a street that leads to parliament, according to Al-Manar.
The police were then forced to fire teargas canisters to disperse the protesters.
Security forces had sent reinforcements to the downtown area, who later called for peaceful demonstrators to move away from areas where violence was taking place.
The building housing the economy and environment ministries, also entered by demonstrators, was set on fire. As night fell flames engulfed a large truck in the central square.
In a televised speech, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab said he would propose early elections.
More than 60 people are still missing due to the explosion that rocked the capital city of Beirut on Tuesday, 158 people were killed and more than 6,000 Lebanese were injured.
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