45 Lebanese Injured in Clashes between Army, Demonstrators in Tripoli

Fierce clashes are still continuing between demonstrators and units of the Lebanese Army in the northern city of Tripoli for the second day in a row.

Protesters poured into the streets due to deteriorating living conditions and rocketing prices, higher levels of unemployment.

The angry demonstrators engaged in violent confrontations in Tripoli with units of the Lebanese army, and they threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the forces, and the army responded with rubber bullets and tear gas canisters.

The confrontations began after a number of protesters tried to storm the Tripoli Hall (known as Saraya) which houses the local government in the city.

But the Lebanese army prevented the protesters from breaking into the building and dispersed them.

Violent confrontations took place at the entrances to Abd al-Hamid Karami (Al-Nur Square), during which the Lebanese army used tear gas and rubber bullets extensively in an attempt to drive away from the angry protesters who threw stones and Molotov cocktails.

A number of protesters tried to burn the al-Tal police station, which locates several streets away from the area of confrontations, by throwing Molotov cocktails at it, but they retreated after a quick intervention by the army.

The confrontations then proceeded to the narrow inner streets of the city and continued until midnight of Tuesday/Wednesday, before the intensity of the confrontations subsided

45 people were injured, according to the numbers of the Lebanese Red Cross.

Observers said, "The Lebanese people can no longer tolerate complete closure due to the economic crises, especially since the government has not taken any measures to support the poor, or provide food and drink aid," stressing that "the wrong policies are what brought Lebanon to this stage."

More than 30 people were injured, yesterday evening, Monday, in clashes that erupted between young people protesting against the general closure decision, and the security forces in the city of Tripoli, northern Lebanon.

Despite the closure decision, popular markets kept their doors open in Tripoli, the city that is considered the poorest in Lebanon, and more than half of its residents live at or below the poverty line.