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Hundreds of protesters once again unleashed their anger on the streets of Beirut this Sunday, January 19, 2020. REUTERS / Aziz Taher

For the second day in a row, violent clashes took place this Sunday, January 19, between demonstrators and the police in Lebanon where popular anger is swelling because of the economic and social crisis. The Lebanese Red Cross reports a provisional death toll of 70 injured, including 30 transferred to hospitals.

With our correspondent in Beirut, Paul Khalifeh

The same scenes of violence as on Saturday occurred in downtown Beirut this Sunday. Hundreds of young people, from different regions of Lebanon, especially from the north of the country, gathered in front of the Parliament in the afternoon. After slogans hostile to political leaders accused of corruption and laxity, the tension increased and the situation degenerated.

With stone throwing and large fireworks fired horizontally, the riot police, who blocked the entrances leading to the Chamber of Deputies, responded with rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas.

Special units armed with rocket launchers

Groups of protesters smashed shop windows and broke into the headquarters of one of the country's two mobile phone companies. It was only after three hours of clashes that the police charged the demonstrators to keep them away from the edge of the Parliament.

In anticipation of the overflows, the police deployed special units armed with rocket launchers, which sparked outrageous comments in the media and social media.

This display of force did not have the desired intimidation effect and the most radical demonstrators had once again come well prepared with the intention of fighting it.