A+ A-

Lebanese protesters issue ultimatum for gov't to end corruption

Lebanese protesters issue ultimatum for gov't to end corruption
Lebanese protesters issue ultimatum for gov't to end corruption

BEIRUT, Aug 29 (KUNA) -- Large numbers of protesters gathered at 'Al-Shuhada'" (martyrs) Sq., downtown Beirut, and the nearby 'Riyadh Al-Solh' Sq. on Saturday afternoon and gave the Lebanese government a 72-hour ultimatum to meet their demands or they will escalate their protests.
Tension ran high between the protesters and the riot police when the former threw stones and water bottles at the policemen guarding the government palace near Riyadh Al-Solh.
The security services appealed for the demonstrators to maintain calm and keep away from the barbed wire fence around the building while the angry protesters denounced the political elite for ignoring their demands for municipal and political reforms.
Addressing the rally of Al-Shuaha Sq., a female speaker said: "Our battle will continue until we get a head of state, independent judiciary, effective municipal authorities and a viable solution to the waste crisis in the capital city." On behalf of the protesters, she stressed the need of purging the state department of corruption, retrieving the stolen funds of the municipal authorities, improving the healthcare services, and freeing the soldiers kidnapped by armed groups.
She also called for sacking Minister of Environment Mohammad Al-Mashnuq, and bringing to book the Minister of Interior and Municipal Affairs Nuhad Al-Mashnuq, and tracking down the gunmen who opened fire at the protesters last week.
The violent acts that accompanied the protests injured 146 riot policemen and 61 protesters, the minister of interior said, noting that all those detained were released except for seven.
The demonstrations, which started here last week in protest against the accumulated garbage, has got political dimensions and attracted growing numbers of trade unionists, public figures and artistic celebrities from across the country. (end) ayb.ma.rg.gb