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15 injured in protests against rubbish crisis in central Beirut

Xinhua, August 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

At least 15 people were injured on Saturday in clashes with Lebanese security forces in downtown Beirut for the government's failure to solve the garbage crisis.

The clashes broke out when thousands of demonstrators rallied to urge the government to immediately take action to seek a solution to weeks of uncollected rubbish.

At least 15 demonstrators were injured including one who was in critical condition, the Red Cross said. Dozens of other protesters were detained.

Witnessed said Lebanese security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse anti-garbage demonstrators and to stop them from moving towards the nearby parliament house.

Anti-riot police also opened fire in the air and broke up the protest with baton charges when demonstrators erected tents near the Martyrs' Square, vowing to stay there until the police release several activists they arrested during the protest.

The Internal Security Forces said that 35 members of its forces were also wounded.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stressed that he did not ordered police to open fire to disperse the protesters.

He also vowed to resolve the waste crisis during the cabinet session next Thursday.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour also said he asked the police not to use force, urging the demonstration's organizers to form a delegation to meet with Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

Earlier Saturday, the You Stink campaign, which organized the protest, urged police to protect them and not to beat them like what had happened in Wednesday's demonstration.

The Lebanese government is locked in disputes and has failed to agree on a solution to Lebanon's garbage collection problem after Beirut's main landfill in Naameh was closed on July 17. Endit