
Lebanon: Water cannons, rubber bullets fired in Beirut waste protests
Beirut's riot police fired water cannons at thousands of activists protesting against the city's waste disposal crisis, Saturday. Demonstrators rallied in Riyad Solh Square and attempted to march to Lebanese parliament before being blocked by riot police who shot rubber bullets and tear gas at the crowd.
Riot police were seen using batons to beat back protesters who tried to breach a security cordon around the square. At least 35 activists were injured in the protest and rushed to hospital, one of whom is in critical condition according to the Lebanese Red Cross.
The demonstration was sparked after the city's main landfill closed in July due to overcapacity, worsening the city's waste crisis. Illegal dumping has been on the increase as mountains of rubbish have since heap up throughout the city with Beirut's port becoming a main dumping ground.

Beirut's riot police fired water cannons at thousands of activists protesting against the city's waste disposal crisis, Saturday. Demonstrators rallied in Riyad Solh Square and attempted to march to Lebanese parliament before being blocked by riot police who shot rubber bullets and tear gas at the crowd.
Riot police were seen using batons to beat back protesters who tried to breach a security cordon around the square. At least 35 activists were injured in the protest and rushed to hospital, one of whom is in critical condition according to the Lebanese Red Cross.
The demonstration was sparked after the city's main landfill closed in July due to overcapacity, worsening the city's waste crisis. Illegal dumping has been on the increase as mountains of rubbish have since heap up throughout the city with Beirut's port becoming a main dumping ground.