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Lebanon: At least 114 injured in clashes amid protests

Protests ongoing in country since October as demonstrators demand formation of new government, improvements in economy

Gulsen Topcu  | 20.01.2020 - Update : 20.01.2020
Lebanon: At least 114 injured in clashes amid protests

BEIRUT

At least 114 people were injured Sunday during clashes in Lebanon between security forces and protesters who are demonstrating against the country’s economic crisis.

Demonstrations in Lebanon

BEIRUT, LEBANON - JANUARY 19: An injured demonstrator is being moved away from the site after security forces intervene in protesters with pressurized water and tear gas during a protest against the country's economic and political situation in Beirut, Lebanon on January 19, 2020. 114 protesters hospitalized in protests after clashing with security forces. ( Mahmut Geldi - Anadolu Agency )

Protests have been taking place since Oct. 17 calling for the immediate formation of a new government and to demand improvements in economic conditions that are worsening day by day.

The Lebanese Red Cross said on Twitter that 18 ambulances and 86 health officers are in the field as 58 of the injured were referred to hospitals and others were treated at the scene.

A journalist for the Al Jazeera news agency was also among the wounded after getting hit by a rubber bullet.

According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent at the scene, the protesters began dispersing due to heavy rain.

                    

At least 220 were also injured in Beirut on Saturday after security forces and protesters clashed outside the parliament building.

Lebanon suffers from high unemployment, slow growth and one of the highest debt ratios in the world, with the debt burden reaching $86.2 billion in the first quarter of 2019, according to the Finance Ministry.

*Writing by Sena Guler

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