Summary
Lebanon teetered on the edge of total chaos Sunday night as anti-government protests in Downtown Beirut descended into riots, rattling the Cabinet and leaving at least 50 demonstrators and security forces injured.
Anti-riot police chased protesters through the streets of Beirut hours after Prime Minister Tammam Salam brushed off their call to resign.
At the urging of the You Stink campaign, thousands of protesters, enraged by the government's inability to solve a garbage crisis that began mid-July, gathered near the Grand Serail at Riad al-Solh Square for a second straight day, calling on Salam to step down.
Shortly after, police fired tear gas, forcing the protesters to pull back.
Around 9:10 p.m., You Stink spokesperson Imad Bazzi called on protesters to leave Downtown and return to Riad al-Solh Square on Monday 6 p.m. for a new protest.
People across Lebanon briefly blocked roads in solidarity with the Riad al-Solh protesters, while others did so in support of the Cabinet.
Slim also said that the movement refused to discuss any issue with Salam before he resigns.
Salam said Sunday that those responsible for the use of force against peaceful protesters would be held accountable.
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