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Police Fire Tear Gas at Anti-Government Protesters as Anger Rages over Beirut Blast

HeadlineAug 07, 2020

The United Nations is warning of a humanitarian catastrophe in Lebanon following Tuesday’s massive explosion at the Port of Beirut that killed at least 157 people, injured 5,000 others and left 300,000 homeless. French President Emmanuel Macron visited Beirut Thursday and said France was ready to aid Lebanon — but only if officials enact reforms cracking down on widespread corruption.

On Thursday, Lebanese police fired tear gas at anti-government protesters who gathered outside the Parliament. There are plans for a massive mobilization on Saturday calling for the ouster and arrest of Lebanese officials who allowed thousands of tons of unsecured highly explosive ammonium nitrate fertilizer to remain unsecured at the Port of Beirut for six years leading up to Tuesday’s blast.

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