Lebanon: Clashes between protesters and security forces near Baabda Palace

Clashes erupted between angry protesters and the Lebanese security forces, on Saturday, near the Baabda presidential palace, 40 days after the Beirut port bombing killed more than 190 people.

The Lebanese army fired live bullets in the air in an attempt to disperse the protesters, who threw stones at the security forces, resulting in light injuries on both sides.

The demonstration, which was organized by groups of the popular movement, started in front of the Palace of Justice towards the Presidential Palace in Baabda, coinciding with the 40-day anniversary of the Beirut Port explosion.

The demonstrators read a statement calling on the judicial investigator in the case of the explosion to expedite the investigation in preparation for holding those involved accountable.

The Lebanese authorities attributed the explosion of the port to 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored for more than six years without adequate protection measures.

The explosion sparked outrage, especially after several reports and sources confirmed that the authorities, including security services, presidents and former and current officials, were aware of the dangers of storing this material in the port.

So far, the judiciary has arrested 25 people, including senior officials of the port and its security.

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