The Lebanese dissatisfaction with the restrictive measures imposed by the authorities due to the coronavirus, as well as the financial crisis that has been going on in this Middle Eastern country for more than a year, escalated into riots.
A particularly difficult situation has developed in Tripoli, where mass protests continue for the third day
Tripoli is one of the poorest Lebanese cities. The curfew introduced there on January 14 and recently extended until February 8 threatens the bankruptcy of small shops, cafes and other small and medium-sized businesses.
The riots took the form of hostilities – protesters throw stones and bottles with incendiary mixtures at the military and law enforcement units, windows of state institutions, on the territory of the mayor's office, set fire to cars and garbage containers, and erect barricades. In response, shots and explosions are heard.
Initially, the police used only tear gas, then they began to use water cannons and rubber bullets. Someone from the crowd of protesters threw a combat grenade at a group of policemen, fragments of which wounded at least 9 security officials.
15 civilians with wounds and injuries of varying severity were hospitalized, 67 people who received emergency medical care were sent to outpatient treatment.
