As the government lifted the lockdown in Lebanon, people took to streets to protest against the way the government handled the pandemic, and for landing the country into a deep economic crisis.

This was the first big anti-government protest since the three-month long lockdown has been lifted in the country, to help revive the crippling economy.

The government is negotiating an International Monetary Fund package it hopes will secure billions of dollars in financing to prop up its collapsing economy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/anti-government-protesters-back-on-streets-after-3-months-pause-in-lebanon-303935">Also watch:&nbsp;Anti-government protesters back on streets after 3 months pause in Lebanon</a>

Protesters marched in the streets wearing face masks and gloves. However, social distancing was not maintained on the streets.

The protests turned violent as people burned garbage bins and ransacked a furniture shop in the capital's upscale shopping district. The shop's windows and doors were broken. People also took out couch from the store to block that road.

Security forces responded by firing rounds of tear gas, footage from Lebanese broadcasters showed.

"The Prime Minister condemns and denounces in the strongest terms, all sectarian slogans ... and calls on all Lebanese and their political and spiritual leaders to exercise awareness and wisdom and cooperate with the army and security services," Prime Minister Hassan Diab wrote on Twitter.

The country is facing extreme economic crisis, which the locals blame on corruption, claiming that the pandemic has only made it worse.

The pound currency has lost more than half of its value on the parallel market, prices have soared, and companies dealing with the double blow of the coronavirus have axed jobs.

(With inputs from Reuters)

As the government lifted the lockdown in Lebanon, people took to streets to protest against the way the government handled the pandemic, and for landing the country into a deep economic crisis.

As the government lifted the lockdown in Lebanon, people took to streets to protest against the way the government handled the pandemic, and for landing the country into a deep economic crisis. This was the first big anti-government protest since the three-month long lockdown has been lifted in the country, to help revive the crippling economy. The government is negotiating an International Monetary Fund package it hopes will secure billions of dollars in financing to prop up its collapsing economy. Also watch: Anti-government protesters back on streets after 3 months pause in Lebanon Protesters marched in the streets wearing face masks and gloves. However, social distancing was not maintained on the streets. The protests turned violent as people burned garbage bins and ransacked a furniture shop in the capital's upscale shopping district. The shop's windows and doors were broken. People also took out couch from the store to block that road. Security forces responded by firing rounds of tear gas, footage from Lebanese broadcasters showed. "The Prime Minister condemns and denounces in the strongest terms, all sectarian slogans ... and calls on all Lebanese and their political and spiritual leaders to exercise awareness and wisdom and cooperate with the army and security services," Prime Minister Hassan Diab wrote on Twitter. The country is facing extreme economic crisis, which the locals blame on corruption, claiming that the pandemic has only made it worse. The pound currency has lost more than half of its value on the parallel market, prices have soared, and companies dealing with the double blow of the coronavirus have axed jobs. (With inputs from Reuters)

Masks and gloves clad Lebanese join anti-government protests

Lebanese Sunnis want <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanons-hariri-says-he-does-not-want-be-pm-264904">Saad al-Hariri</a> to be prime minister of the next government, businessman Samir Khatib said on Sunday after meeting Lebanon's top Sunni cleric, spelling the end of his own candidacy for the position.

Hariri quit on October 29, prompted by protests against the corruption of Lebanon's ruling elite. The protests have continued since then and Lebanon is in dire need of a new government to start tackling an economic crisis.

The prime minister's post is reserved for a Sunni Muslim in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanese-pm-saad-al-hariri-resigns-as-crisis-turns-violent-258682">Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system</a>. Hariri said last week he backed Khatib as consensus appeared to emerge among Lebanon's main parties on him being designated in formal consultations that President Michel Aoun is due to convene on Monday.

But Khatib, speaking after a meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, said the mufti backed Hariri.

"I learnt ... that as a result of meetings and consultations and contacts with the sons of the (Sunni) Islamic sect, an agreement was reached on nominating Saad al-Hariri to form the coming government," Khatib said.

Khatib said he would head to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hariri-ready-to-be-lebanese-prime-minister-again-but-with-conditions-report-258873">Hariri's Beirut residence</a> to inform him of this "because he is the one who nominated me to form the new government".

Hariri had said he would only return as prime minister if he could lead a government of specialist ministers which he believes would be best placed to deal with the crisis and attract foreign aid.

But his demand was rejected by groups including the powerful Shi'ite party Hezbollah and its ally Aoun. Both say the government must include politicians.

Lebanese Sunnis want Saad al-Hariri to be prime minister of the next government, businessman Samir Khatib said on Sunday after meeting Lebanon's top Sunni cleric, spelling the end of his own candidacy for the position.

Lebanese Sunnis want Saad al-Hariri to be prime minister of the next government, businessman Samir Khatib said on Sunday after meeting Lebanon's top Sunni cleric, spelling the end of his own candidacy for the position. Hariri quit on October 29, prompted by protests against the corruption of Lebanon's ruling elite. The protests have continued since then and Lebanon is in dire need of a new government to start tackling an economic crisis. The prime minister's post is reserved for a Sunni Muslim in Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system. Hariri said last week he backed Khatib as consensus appeared to emerge among Lebanon's main parties on him being designated in formal consultations that President Michel Aoun is due to convene on Monday. But Khatib, speaking after a meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, said the mufti backed Hariri. "I learnt ... that as a result of meetings and consultations and contacts with the sons of the (Sunni) Islamic sect, an agreement was reached on nominating Saad al-Hariri to form the coming government," Khatib said. Khatib said he would head to Hariri's Beirut residence to inform him of this "because he is the one who nominated me to form the new government". Hariri had said he would only return as prime minister if he could lead a government of specialist ministers which he believes would be best placed to deal with the crisis and attract foreign aid. But his demand was rejected by groups including the powerful Shi'ite party Hezbollah and its ally Aoun. Both say the government must include politicians.

Sunnis want Hariri to be Prime Minister again: Lebanon's Khatib

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Masks and gloves clad Lebanese join anti-government protests

Sunnis want Hariri to be Prime Minister again: Lebanon's Khatib