Protests break out in Lebanon, army is deployed

An anti-government protester tries to extinguishes his tent which set on fire by civilian men believed to be the private unit of the parliament guards, during ongoing protests against the political elites in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday. Police fired volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets in Lebanon's capital to disperse thousands of protesters amid some of the worst riots in Beirut since protests against the country's ruling elite erupted three months ago.

Riot police restrain a protestor during a protest against a ruling elite accused of steering Lebanon towards economic crisis in Beirut. Almost 400 people were wounded Saturday during running battles between anti-government protesters and Lebanese security forces in the capital Beirut. It was the heaviest toll since the protests erupted three months ago, with the Red Cross and Civil Defence saying 377 people at least were rushed to hospital or treated at the scene.

Anti-government demonstrators clash with riot police at a road leading to the parliament building in Beirut. The violence began after some protesters started throwing stones at police deployed near the parliament building, while others removed street signs, metal barriers and branches of trees, tossing them at security forces.

Demonstrators during a clash with security forces in Beirut, Lebanon. Thick white smoke covered the downtown Beirut area near Parliament as police and protesters engaged in confrontations that saw groups of young men hurl stones and firecrackers at police who responded with water cannons and tear gas. Some protesters were seen vomiting on the street from inhaling the gas.

Anti-government demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon.

An injured anti-government protester speaks on his mobile during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon.

Demonstrators during a clash with security forces in Beirut, Lebanon.

An anti-government demonstrator uses a slingshot toward the Lebanese riot police, during an anti-government protest in Beirut, Lebanon.

Demonstrators during a clash with security forces in Beirut, Lebanon.

Lebanese police arrest an anti-government protester after dispersing a protest in Beirut, Lebanon.

An anti-government protester receives treatment after confrontation with Lebanese riot police inside the Mohammad al-Amin Mosque during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon.

Riot police use a water cannon against anti-government demonstrators at a road leading to the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.

Anti-government demonstrators clash with riot police at a road leading to the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.

Anti-government protesters use fireworks against Lebanese riot police during a protest at a road leading to the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Lebanon's President Michel Aoun asked the army and security commanders to restore calm in central Beirut

Lebanese army soldiers, foreground, watch civilian men believed to be the private unit of the parliament guards, foreground, burn anti-government protesters tents, during ongoing protests against the political elites in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.

A Riot police officer fires tear gas against anti-government protesters trying to enter parliament square during a protest at a road leading to the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.

Riot policemen watch flames rise from the tents of the anti-government protesters, which set on fire by civilian men believed to be the private unit of the parliament guards, during ongoing protests against the political elites who have ruled the country since decades, in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.

A Riot police officer fires tear gas from a launcher against anti-government protesters trying to enter parliament square during a protest at a road leading to the parliament building in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.

An anti-government protester tries to extinguishes his tent which set on fire by civilian men believed to be the private unit of the parliament guards, during ongoing protests against the political elites in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. R