Dozens hurt in Lebanon clashes

BEIRUT: Thousands protested in Lebanon´s capital Sunday, while Interior Minister Raya El-Hassan ordered security forces to open a “rapid and transparent” enquiry after dozens were wounded in clashes the night before.

Undaunted by the violence, demonstrators flooded central Beirut once more ahead of parliamentary consultations due to begin Monday to appoint a new prime minister after weeks of largely peaceful street protests forced the previous cabinet to quit.

The unprecedented rallies have swept Lebanon since October 17, demanding the overhaul of a political system deemed inept and corrupt and the formation of an independent government of technocrats.

Late Saturday security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators who gathered near parliament, and beat protesters who tried to breach metal barricades.

The Lebanese civil defence said they took 36 injured to hospital and treated 54 people at the scene while the Lebanese Red Cross reported it took 15 injured to hospital and treated 37 people on site.

Both protesters and members of the security forces were injured, the Red Cross said, with some affected by tear gas and others struck by stones.Lebanese security forces said on Twitter about 20 from their ranks were hospitalised, while others were injured and treated on the spot.

An AFP photographer saw men in plainclothes hitting protesters, while anti-riot police fired rubber bullets at protesters throwing stones.

Hassan demanded the identification of those responsible for the most violent episode since the anti-government protests began in October.She warned against “infiltrators” seeking to use protests to provoke “confrontations”.

Amnesty International´s Diala Haidar decried the “excessive use of force” in response to “overwhelmingly peaceful protest”. “The intention was clearly to prevent protesters gathering,” she said, condemning the presence of masked men in civilian clothes joining security forces in “violently attacking protesters”.