A first birthday in pain.

Eight people were hospitalized and dozens taken care of near the Lebanese Parliament in clashes on Wednesday between the security forces and hundreds of demonstrators who came to mark the first anniversary of the explosion in the port of Beirut, said the Cross. -Red.

As thousands of Lebanese gathered near the port, hundreds more made their way to the Parliament not far away, some trying to get through the barbed wire and concrete blocks erected in the wall and blocking the various entrances leading to the building.

Dozens of injured including eight hospitalized

Protesters then threw stones at the security forces, who responded with tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.

Police officers also beat some demonstrators with batons.

The clashes, which continued two hours later, left dozens of injured, including eight hospitalized, according to the Red Cross, which treated most of them on the spot.

In a statement, the internal security forces (ISF) warned that they would "resort to legitimate and proportionate means in accordance with the laws in force against non-peaceful demonstrators".

A few hundred meters from the clashes, a mass was celebrated near the port in tribute to the victims of the deadly explosion that devastated the port and entire districts of Beirut on August 4, 2020.

Lebanese who demand justice

Thousands of Lebanese have flocked to the port area to commemorate the first anniversary of this tragedy, but also to demand justice as no culprit has yet been tried and officials continue to block the investigation. .

The explosion - which left 214 dead and more than 6,500 injured - was caused by hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate, stored for years in a dilapidated warehouse and "without precaution" admitted even from the government.

The relatives of the victims and activists demand in particular the lifting of parliamentary immunity behind which hide some deputies and former ministers in the crosshairs of justice.

370 million in aid from the international community

At the same time, a Conference in support of Lebanon, organized by France and the UN, opened this afternoon.

Participating states pledged to provide around $ 370 million in aid to the population, organizers said in a statement.

Participants again called for "the formation of a government dedicated to saving the country" and expressed concern over delays in the investigation into the explosion that destroyed the port of Beirut a year ago. to the day.

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  • Explosion

  • Beirut

  • Commemoration

  • World

  • Lebanon