TRIPOLI, Lebanon (AP) Lebanese rioters set fire to several buildings in the northern city of Tripoli Thursday as outrage over the country s coronavirus lockdown and inaction of the political class in the face of economic collapse took a more violent turn.
After hours of clashes and following the fires, Lebanese military troops deployed around the city in an effort to quell the rage. Firefighters were battling the flames rising from a historic municipal building, after the rioters set fire to it, two other government buildings and a private university that belongs to a rich businessman and politician from the deeply impoverished city.
Jan 29, 2021
TRIPOLI, Lebanon Lebanese rioters set fire to several buildings in the northern city of Tripoli Thursday as outrage over the country’s coronavirus lockdown and inaction of the political class in the face of economic collapse took a more violent turn.
After hours of clashes and following the fires, Lebanese military troops deployed around the city in an effort to quell the rage. Firefighters were battling the flames rising from a historic municipal building, after the rioters set fire to it, two other government buildings and a private university that belongs to a rich businessman and politician from the deeply impoverished city.
Unrest grows in crisis-hit Lebanon amid COVID lockdown
By Mansoor| Published: 28th January 2021 10:35 pm IST Photo: Flag of Lebanon (Source: Google)
Tripoli: Lebanese security forces fired volleys of tear gas at rock-throwing youth in the northern city of Tripoli on Thursday amid outrage over the death of a 30-year-old protester after violent confrontations with security forces the previous day.
The scope of the protests in Tripoli, now in their fourth day, appeared to be widening even as the nation grapples with both the pandemic and the worst economic crisis in Lebanon’s history.
The protests resumed Thursday, shortly after Omar Taibi, who was shot by security forces on Wednesday night, was laid to rest. More than 220 others were injured in the clashes as frustrations boiled over amid deteriorating living conditions and strict coronavirus lockdown measures.