Tear gas and water cannons fired at Lebanese protesters

Security forces have previously used tear gas and water cannons against the demonstrators [Nour Samaha/Al Jazeera] Sign up for weekly stories behind the headlines Subscribe Email Address * RELATED Write a comment FEATURED Security forces used tear gas and water cannons against protesters as several hundred took to the streets of Lebanon's capital Beirut to protest the ongoing political. At least five activists were detained in Thursday's incident, according to sources on the ground, including Waref Sleiman who conducted a hunger strike to protest the ongoing garbage crisis. The Lebanese Red Cross said that at least 35 people were treated for suffocation. The protesters gathered in downtown Beirut with the aim of reaching Nejmeh square, where the parliamentary building is located but security forces erected concrete and metal blockades to prevent them from advancing forward. What started off as a peaceful protest quickly turned violent after security forces opened fire with tear gas and water cannons. Several protesters managed to dismantle the metal barricade and pushed away the concrete blocks. Earlier, the protesters chanted "we want to enter the ministerial council!" and "the people want the downfall of the regime" were cried over load speakers. "It's actually disgusting that we are all suffering from a water shortage in this country and we are forced to pay extra because the government can't provide us with this basic right but they have enough water to spray us continuously," said Nidal, a protester in a soaking t-shirt and his face covered against the tear gas. Security forces have previously used tear gas, water cannons, live rounds and rubber bullets against the demonstrators, leaving hundreds injured. The protests were triggered by a rubbish crisis that started in July, after the main landfill for Beirut and Mount Lebanon was shut down and thousands of tonnes of rubbish were left rotting on the streets. The country has also been without a president since May 2014, and the parliament has been unable to convene in full in order to vote for one, with cabinet ministers unable to decide how to make decisions, let alone address ongoing issues. Source: Al Jazeera