Thousands of Lebanese protesters stage largest anti-government protest yet over trash crisis

The Associated Press

A Lebanese anti-government protester acts the role of a Lebanese politician holding a safe with fake money sticking out, during a demonstration against the trash crisis and government corruption, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. hat has dominated Lebanon since the end of the country's civil war in 1990. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

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Mona Awali, a 30-year-old teacher from south Lebanon, said she doesn't expect politicians to yield to the ultimatum issued, but said that would only increase the resolve of protesters. She said was impressed by the young, independent crowd that turned up.

"This is what we wanted. This is the public we want to reach," she said.

Two protests last weekend outside the prime minister's office drew up to 20,000 people and were generally peaceful. But the rallies turned violent when security forces used batons, tear gas and water cannons to disperse groups of people who tried to break the security cordon around the prime minister's office. There was no official estimate for Saturday's crowd, which appeared to be significantly larger.

To avoid friction with security forces, organizers of the protest shifted the location from Riyad Solh square opposite the government building known as the Grand Serail to Martyr's Square, a major square a few hundred meters away. As night fell, a small group of protesters returned to Riyad Solh, pelting plastic bottles and fire crackers at security forces. A small group of masked youth repeatedly tried to break through the barbed wire.

"It is turning into — I won't say revolution — but kind of an uprising. It would be great if we win on the rubbish issue because this will cause the beads to come undone," said Alex Paulikevitch, a 33-year-old choreographer and protester.

Paulikevitch said he doesn't think the protests will bring down the system, "but if we get one demand to solve the rubbish problem it will be great."

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Associated Press writer Karin Laub contributed to this report.

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