Lebanese Protesters Take over 3 Ministries amid Deadly Clashes

On Saturday, the Lebanese protesters in Beirut have broken into three ministries, Foreign, Economy and Environment, in central Beirut amid escalating clashes with the Riot Police over Tuesday's huge explosion that left at least 158 dead.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to streets in Beirut, demanding the fall of regime, but there has been violence, as police fired tear gas at stone-throwing demonstrators.

Sounds of gunfire have also been heard from central Martyrs' Square.

During the clashes, the protesters hurled stones at the police forces, who were firing tear gas and rubber bullets. There were flash points at barricades designed to prevent demonstrators reaching parliament.

But a group of several dozen chanting anti-government slogans and burning a portrait of President Michel Aoun entered the foreign ministry and called for all ministries to be occupied.

The Lebanese Red Cross said that 110 people have been injured during the demonstrations - a third have been taken to hospital.

Protesters erected mock gallows in Martyrs’ Square from which they hung cardboard cutouts of national leaders they said should be held accountable for the massive explosion Tuesday that killed more than 150 people. Many Lebanese believe the disaster is the outcome of years of poor governance and corruption.