BEIRUT — Lebanese security forces used excessive force, including firing live ammunition, against anti-government protesters after the Beirut port explosion, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Wednesday. In angry demonstrations four days after the blast, some protesters stormed government ministries and hurled stones at security forces. The Red Cross said some 170 people were injured, including policemen wounded by stones. U.S.-based HRW said security forces had on Aug. 8 fired live ammunition, metal pellets, and projectiles such as rubber balls, including at health workers. It said police deployed excessive quantities of tear gas and security forces threw stones at protesters and beat them.

Source: International New York Times August 26, 2020 14:48 UTC