Beirut Explosion: Protesters clashes with security forces, many injured as anger simmers in Beirut.
Protesters stood their ground in the face of power relentless tear gas by security forces at times live ammunition but protesters didn't leave, too angry at a political class they blamed for tuesday's blast that killed dozens and destroyed and damaged many neighborhoods in the lebanese capital, the authorities were aware that thousands of tons of highly explosive material was stored at the beirut port for years.
They have been demanding a new leadership for months, many were injured in running battles that lasted for hours but this time they say they won't be silenced they want justice and revenge for the victims of the explosion and believe a government-led inquiry into the disaster won't hold senior officials accountable.
Protesters also storm three ministries state institutions people say are run by corrupt politicians who they blame for draining the state's treasury, they say they want a state and a competent government currently Lebanon's institutions are controlled by political parties and there is a parallel state run by the iranian-backed Hezbollah, the prime minister Hassan Diab who took office early this year is now offering a way out of the crisis.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab "We cannot face these problems unless we have early elections to elect new politicians and a new parliament , we need a new political elite and a new parliament we need to work together to overcome this difficult period, we know and i know the people have questions about the catastrophe and how the government plans to handle it the catastrophe is way bigger than anyone could imagine the impact may stay forever".
Early elections have been one of the opposition's demands, but there are concerns the sectarian-based political system and electoral law won't give independent candidates a chance.
It's not the first time central beirut turns into a battleground between the people and the establishment, the struggle for change is not new the anger has been building for years. Many feel those in power caved in by proposing early elections the governing alliance is not just facing pressure from the street the state is nearly bankrupt and the international community won't help unless politicians fight state corruption, for now many people here feel they won a round in what is likely to be a long battle.
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