BEIRUT: Lebanon’s under-fire prime minister, Saad al-Hariri, was due tospeak Tuesday as rumours swirled of his imminent resignation followingnearly two weeks of unprecedented protests demanding political change.
Al-Hariri’s office summoned the press for 1400 GMT, even as dozens ofcounter-demonstrators wielding sticks and throwing stones attacked the mainprotest site in the capital Beirut.
Local media had circulated reports of an expected resignation announcementbefore the premier’s office said he would speak.
An unprecedented protest movement has gripped Lebanon for almost two weeks,calling for an overhaul of a political class viewed as incompetent andcorrupt.
Banks and schools have remained closed and the normally congested mainarteries in Beirut blocked by protesters.
On Tuesday, dozens of rioters descended on to Riad al-Solh Square near thegovernment headquarters, where they attacked protesters, torched tents, andtore down banners calling for “revolution”, said an AFP correspondent inthe area.
The unprecedented attack on the main site of the capital’s largely peacefulprotest movement forced the army and riot police to deploy en masse tocontain the violence.
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Ambulance sirens rang out from all sides, as reports circulated ofinjuries, an AFP correspondent said.
An hour earlier, the same counter-demonstrators had gathered on a nearbyroad where they attacked peaceful protesters who were blocking the keyartery, another AFP reporter said.
The counter-protesters chanted slogans hailing two leaders — Hezbollahchief Hassan Nasrallah and Amal head Nabih Berri — as they pushedroadblocks aside and provoked protesters.
Police intervened to contain the violence, sparking a series of scatteredscuffles.
Demonstrators caught in the attack tried to jump over the rails of thehighway while others ducked behind concrete blocks. -APP/AFP
