Injuries have been reported during the Lebanese army’s attempt to open a main road in northern Lebanon connecting Tripoli with Akkar province, reported Al Arabiya's correspondent on Saturday.

The Lebanese army fired gunshots into the air during a protest blocking a road near the city of Tripoli on Saturday, a witness and Lebanese broadcaster al-Jadeed said, citing its own correspondent. After the incident army reinforcements arrived in Beddawi, in between Tripoli and Akkar, on Saturday night, according to Al Arabiya's correspondent.



The Lebanese Red Cross said on Twitter that three people were injured there and vehicles were being sent to the scene. A witness said protesters were blocking a main road running north from the northern city of Tripoli to the Akkar area.

Following the Beddawi incident, the Lebanese Army stated that the clashes erupted between a group of protesters blocking the road, and some citizens who tried to cross the road with their cars.

The Lebanese Army added in a statement that its soldiers tried to disperse the crowd when stones and fireworks were thrown on them leading to the injury of five soldiers. Upon this, the army used tear gas and brought security reinforcement to the area and opened an investigation.

In a related development, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s Future Movement warned on Saturday of pushing the peaceful protesters into a confrontation with the army and security forces.

The reports came on the tenth day of protests, as the Lebanese army and riot police tried to remove roadblocks around the country.

The night before, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah made a speech criticizing protesters and voicing his support for the government.

- With Reuters.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:53 - GMT 06:53