SIDON, Lebanon: Security forces confiscated Saturday the carts of vegetable street vendors in Sidon operating outside the southern coastal city’s new market.

The crackdown on street vendors, carried out by some 100 members of the police, began in the morning hours of the day and prompted the sellers to protest outside Sidon’s municipality.

The crackdown, the fourth of its kind this year, comes after a decision in March by Sidon’s municipality to relocate street vendors to the city’s new market.

The vendors, who have repeatedly protested against the municipality's decision, claim that they want to benefit from the number of customers who come shopping at the commercial souks.

The goods confiscated Saturday will be distributed to orphanages in the city.