Security Walls Erected outside Beirut's Nejmeh Square
Cement security walls were on Thursday erected at the entrances to the street leading to the Lebanese parliament in central Beirut, the site of recent clashes.
The blast walls, some painted with Lebanese flags, were installed as security forces guarded the area.
They replaced metal barriers that protesters tried to climb. The protesters had also hurled stones and other projectiles at security forces through the metal barriers.
Dozens of protesters gathered in the area as the walls were being erected on Thursday. They objected to the move and some of them sat on the ground before being removed by riot police.
The small rally has however remained peaceful, in contrast to the fierce clashes of the recent days.
Over the weekend, Beirut saw some of the most violent clashes between protesters and security forces yet. More than 500 people, including over 100 security forces, were injured in clashes outside the parliament building. Protesters hurled stones, firecrackers and flares at security forces who responded with rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon. Several protesters were hit in their eyes.
On Wednesday, hours after the new government held its first meeting, hundreds of protesters gathered again outside parliament, attempting to break through security barriers and hurling stones, firecrackers, tree branches and Molotov cocktails. Clashes lasted late into the night, as security forces chased protesters down the streets.
Source: Associated Press, Naharnet
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