Protests in Beirut over handling of deadly port blast

Riot police have fired tear gas at demonstrators trying to break through a barrier to get to the parliament building in Beirut during a protest over the government's handling of this week's devastating explosion in the city.

"We want a future with dignity, we don't want the blood of the victims of the explosion wasted," said Rose Sirour, one of the demonstrators. Several people said they were not at all surprised that French President Emmanuel Macron had visited their gutted neighbourhoods this week while Lebanese leaders had not.

Mr Macron, who visited Beirut on Thursday, promised angry crowds that aid to rebuild the city would not fall into "corrupt hands". He will host a donor conference for Lebanon via video-link tomorrow his office said. Mr Aoun said the investigation would also weigh if the blast was due to negligence or an accident. 20 people had been detained so far, he added.Officials have said the blast could have caused losses amounting to $15 billion.

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