Lebanese security forces fire tear gas to disperse protesters in Beirut

Описание: (8 Feb 2024)

RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beirut - 8 February 2024
1. Various of retired Lebanese soldiers using barricade as steps to breach the barbed wire around the Government Palace
2. Various of tear gas billowing and retired Lebanese soldiers dispersing
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Chamel Rokouz, former MP and Michel Aoun's (Former Lebanese president) son-in-law and retired military officer:
"If we don't make our demands with rights, justice, dignity, and self-esteem, then there's no such thing as a Council of Ministers meeting, not today or any other day."
4. Protester throwing tear gas canisters back at security forces
5. Various of Lebanese army police clashing with protesters and pushing them back
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Chamel Rokouz, former MP and Michel Aoun's (Former Lebanese president) son-in-law and retired military officer:
"These people are oppressed and in pain. They want their rights as they deserve. The issue has become a matter of dignity, not just salaries."
7. Wide of Lebanese army police clashing with protesters and pushing them back
8. Various of tyre on fire at barbed wire security cordon
9. Lebanese army personnel standing in line with riot shields at security cordon
STORYLINE:
Lebanese security forces on Thursday fired tear gas to disperse dozens of protesters, mainly retired soldiers, who tried to break through the fence leading to the government headquarters in downtown Beirut.

The violence came amid widespread anger over the harsh economic conditions in the country, where mismanagement by the ruling class has been rampant for years, preceding the economic meltdown that started in late 2019.

The retired soldiers, who were demanding better pay, clashed with riot police and troops, with several protesters suffering breathing problems from the tear gas.

The protest came as the caretaker government held a meeting inside the Government Palace.

There was no immediate information about any injuries during the violence.

The protest was called by retired soldiers after the Lebanese pound lost more than 95% of its value since 2019.

Since early Thursday, riot police and army special forces have been deployed around the government headquarters, an Ottoman-era three-storey building known as the Grand Serail of Beirut.

AP video by Fadi Tawil

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected].

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...