Lebanon's Interior Minister blames 'foreign forces' for protests

Protesters threw fireworks at security forces in Beirut, despite Hasan Nasrallah's speech blaming the US and Israel for masterminding the demonstrations.

By YASSER OKBI/MAARIV
Smoke rises from tear gas during anti government protests in Beirut, Lebanon December 15, 2019. (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)
Smoke rises from tear gas during anti government protests in Beirut, Lebanon December 15, 2019.
(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)
Hezbollah's leader, Hasan Nasrallah has accused Israel and the United States of being behind the economic protests in Lebanon
Tensions continued to run high on Sunday night between protesters and the Lebanese security forces, as protesters escalated their activities, aimed this time against police's violence. They threw fire works towards the security forces in Lebanon in the capital Beirut.
On Saturday it was reported that there were 54 injured, 36 of which were taken to hospital, after security forces used protest dispersion methods against them in both major squares in the capital. Moreover, the police escalated their struggle against the protesters and have said that mentioned that 20 policemen and one officer were hurt during the confrontations.
Lebanon's Interior Minister, Raya Al-Hassan, has ordered a "swift and comprehensive" review of the protests, as well as calling the protesters to remain vigilant of "Foreign entities who are trying to use the protests in order to hurt them."
Al-Hassan further added: "foreign entities are the ones causing the clashes between protesters and security forces. I am worried and express shock and sorrow over this confrontation."
In the town of Akkar in northern Lebanon, two fields were set on fire belonging to the two main political parties. The attackers shattered the party offices' windows, including the party of the existing Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri. In another attack, the protesters ignited the offices of the Free National Party, the party of president Michelle Awan, which is the largest party in Parliament led by foreign minister Jubran Basil in the town of Jadidia.