Protesters clash with police in Beirut after deadly explosion

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 10:15 AM PT – Monday, August 16, 2021

Police clashed with protesters trying to storm the house of Lebanon Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati. Demonstrators reportedly took to the streets in Beirut on Sunday, just one day after a warehouse explosion killed 28 people and injured at least 79.

The explosion occurred as a result of fuel being illegally stored in the facility as the country faces a severe fuel shortage. Protesters believe that widespread government corruption has resulted in electricity cuts, in turn, forcing many homes, businesses and hospitals to rely on generators that are now being turned off due to the current fuel shortages.

“We identify the fact that everything that is happening to the Lebanese people today is because of this corrupt (government),” said protester Carmen Khoury. “We went them out; we do not want anything from them anymore. We want Mikati to resign and get out of this completely. We want the president of this republic to resign also.”

#Lebanon wakes up to horrific news. At least 20 ppl killed & 79 injured, says Red Cross, in a fuel tanker explosion in Akkar in northern Lebanon. The country is struggling to keep hospitals open as fuel supplies dwindle & electricity cuts become the norm. pic.twitter.com/ioZFuJCPYo

— Arwa Ibrahim (@arwaib) August 15, 2021

Lebanon’s former prime minister called on Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun, to take responsibility for the explosion and resign.

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