Lebanon at Crossroads, as Unrest Intensifies in Beirut

The protests gripping Lebanon pose an extraordinary challenge to Beirut’s political leadership, which must move the country ahead or step aside.

The mostly youthful protesters are tired of politics as it has been practiced over the past years.

More than 400 people were injured on Saturday during fierce and armed clashes between Lebanese anti-government protesters and security forces in Beirut.

The highest toll of injures has been recorded yesterday since the protests erupted three months ago, with the Red Cross and Civil Defense saying 400 people at least were rushed to hospitals or treated at the scene.

It is expected that more demonstrations will be staged on Sunday as part of the wave of popular unrest that is witnessing by the country since the ouster of the Lebanese political class, which the activists condemn as inept and corrupt.

During yesterday’s clashes, Lebanon's police sprayed water cannons and fired tear gas near parliament in Beirut, while protesters, some concealing their faces with scarves, were hurling stones after a march against the political elite devolved into rioting.

Hundreds injured in teargas and fireworks clashes between the Lebanese protesters and the riot police around the Parliament in Najmeh Square

Protesters had called Saturday for a week of "anger" as an economic crisis deepened after all efforts to form a new government reached a deadlock.

In December, Lebanese President Michel Aoun asked university professor Hassan Diab to form a new government after consultations with parliamentary blocs.

But so far Diab has failed to form the government due to political bickering among the various Lebanese political parties.

The recent wave of anger has worsened the crisis in Lebanon, which is facing economic and political turmoil, seen as the worst crisis since the 1975 to 1990 civil war.

Since last October, Lebanon is facing a sharp political crisis with the continuous failure of politicians to form a government that would calm protests sweeping the country.

Though the political elite has named an ex-education minister Hassan Diab as its next prime minister, with the initial support of the Iran-backed Hizbollah paramilitary group, he hasn’t got so far the approval or support of Sunni block led by ex-PM Saad Al-Hariri.