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Gunfire kills several people near Beirut protest

DEVELOPING STORY AJ News 14 Oct 2021

More than 30 people also wounded after gunfire erupts near a protest rally in the Lebanese capital.

Authorities warned against attempts to drag Lebanon into violence [Anwar Amro/AFP]

Gunfire has killed at least six people and wounded more than 30 others in Beirut, according to the Lebanese Red Cross, as a rally organised by the Hezbollah and Amal movements to demand the dismissal of the lead investigator into last year’s port explosion turned violent.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Beirut Palace of Justice on Thursday, calling for the removal of Judge Tarek Bitar, accusing him of political bias. Bursts of gunfire were heard coming from the nearby Tayyoune neighbourhood, scattering the angry protesters. Clashes have continued for hours.

“The army rushed to cordon off the area and deploy in its neighbourhoods and their entrance. Patrols started as did the search for the shooters to detain them,” the armed forces said in a statement.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for the restoration of calm and warned against attempts to drag Lebanon into violence.

Here are the latest updates:

Beirut incident saw ‘shots in the head with live ammunition'

Following a meeting with heads of security agencies, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi has said in a statement: “The security agencies knew about the gatherings that took place, but had no indicators that could develop into shots in the head with live ammunition.”

“Civil peace between the Lebanese is not to be played with.”

Mawlawi said an investigation is ongoing and all security measures will be taken.

Children trapped due to clashes

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut Front Line

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, says children were trapped at their schools by the clashes.

“People are trapped at home, some children are still trapped at school. People are terrified, they don’t know what is happening in their city. About 200 metres (656 feet) from here there is a decades-long dividing line dating back to the days of the civil war (1975-1990).

“It is scenes like this that bring back a lot of memories for many Lebanese who have been traumatised by many bouts of violence but this has been one of the worst bouts of violence.”

Civil Defence seeks to evacuate residents caught in the crossfire

Al Jazeera’s Kareem Chehayeb, reporting from Beirut, says the civil defence forces are trying to help evacuate residents caught in the crossfire.

Prime Minister Najib Mikati is currently meeting with the heads of security agencies as clashes continue, he added.

திரைமறைவு பேச்சுவார்த்தைகளுக்குப் பின்னால் இரு யுத்தப் பிரபு அணிகளுக்கு இடையான நான்கு மணி நேர வெடி முழக்கம் ஓய்ந்தது.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES