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Lebanon Unrest Mounting as Death Toll from Catastrophic Port Blast Tops 200

HeadlineAug 10, 2020

In Lebanon, protests raged over the weekend following the catastrophic explosion last week at the Port of Beirut, which killed at least 200 people, injured thousands more and leveled neighborhoods. The explosion was triggered by 2,700 tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate left unattended in a warehouse for six years. Protesters stormed three ministries as security forces unleashed tear gas and rubber bullets on demonstrators. This is a protester speaking Saturday.

Tarek Baddawi: “I’m endangering myself, just like others are doing, because we’ve reached our limit. Nothing more can happen. Enough corruption. Enough negligence. Stored substances exploded all of Beirut. And on top of this, there are still people down there at the port who they’re shooting with live ammunition, pellets and rubber bullets. They are slaughtering people.”

A number of high-level politicians have resigned amid the growing unrest and accusations of corruption and negligence, and media is reporting Prime Minister Hassan Diab will soon submit his resignation.

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