Several marches converge to Nejmeh square
- On day 94, protesters marched from two points to arrive at Nejmeh square. One march began from Sassine Square in Ashrafieh, passing through the Palace of Justice, and Sodeco. The second march began from Dora and passed through the Electricite du Liban. Demonstrators from across the country, namely from Tripoli, Saida, and Akkar, also participated in the protest in front of Beirut’s Nejmeh Square.
Repressive security measures
- Early Saturday evening, a few members of the security forces arrested injured protesters as they arrived to several hospitals’ emergency wards. A circulating video showed detainees being viciously beaten as they arrived to the Helou barracks.
Hundreds injured on Saturday and Sunday
- As the protests escalated on Saturday, protesters clashed with security forces who had attempted to disperse the crowds by firing tear gas. Riot police also deployed water cannons and shot at protesters with rubber bullets. Clashes continued in central Beirut on Sunday, as security forces targeted protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets.
- As a result, over 370 people were injured on Saturday, the most violent day since the beginning of the revolution, according to Reuters. About 50 were injured on Sunday as of eight this evening. The security forces reported “142 injuries amongst the Internal Security Forces, including seven officers, and three in critical condition” due to Saturday’s clashes.
Aoun—Diab meeting ends in stalemate
- Prime Minister—designate Hassan Diab and President Michel Aoun met on Sunday to discuss the stagnating formation of the government. The meeting, which lasted 90 minutes, ended in a stalemate. Aoun’s request for a 20-seat cabinet was met with consternation from the PM—designate, who stressed on an 18—seat government. Due to this setback, no government has been officially declared.
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