Protests Erupt in Beirut After Macron's Visit, Police Use Tear Gas

On August 6, police in the center of Lebanon's capital deployed tear gas against protesters. Groups of aggressive demonstrators attempted to breach security barriers and storm the parliamentary palace at Place de l'Étoile. During the clashes, there were injuries reported on both sides, with victims being transported by ambulances, as reported by a TASS correspondent on the scene.

Protesters attacked security forces in the neighboring Place des Martyrs near the An Nahar newspaper and the municipality, throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at the police.

This marks the first time that protesters have taken to the streets of Beirut since the powerful explosion at the sea port on August 4, which resulted in tragic consequences. Recent reports indicate that the shockwave from the explosion destroyed and damaged hundreds of buildings and residential structures, leaving more than 300,000 people homeless. A total of 145 people have died, approximately 5,000 have been injured, and dozens are considered missing.

According to the Daily Star, activists demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s government were energized by French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Beirut. When the French leader visited the historic Gemmayzeh district, where many houses were devastated, he was met by a crowd of demonstrators who welcomed him with chants of “Long live France.” In conversations with activists, Macron promised that Lebanon would not be left alone in the aftermath of the tragic incident.