Violent clashes continued in Lebanon on Sunday as security forces fired water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters in Beirut angry over a deepening financial crisis and the inability to form a new government.

At least 114 people were injured in the demonstrations, according to the Red Cross and the Lebanese Civil Defense teams, many of them suffering wounds from being struck in the chest or the face with rubber bullets.

The protesters fired back using rocks and improvising crude flame-throwers using burning aerosol cans.

The riot police responded by lobbing tear gas canisters and then firing rubber bullets at the crowds in smoke-filled streets.

Security officials reinforced metal barriers near the Parliament in Beirut as some of the protesters tried to scale the barriers.

“We have gone from being a country we used to call the Switzerland of the east to a country ranked at the bottom in everything,” Rezzan Barraj, 47, told Reuters during the Sunday protests. “It’s clear that the more they (security forces) step up their violence, the more people’s strength and determination grow.”

The unrest began in October after the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned and a new government has failed to form even as the economic situation becomes more dire by the day.

Prime Minister-designate Hassan Diab was expected to announce a new Cabinet on Sunday after meeting with President Michel Aoun.

But no announcement came despite a 90-minute meeting.

“We don’t accept the government the way they are forming it. They are using the old method to form the government … so it’s not acceptable,” protester Jil Samaha told the Associated Press. “We want a different way of forming a government.”

At least 337 people were injured in clashes on Saturday, with more than 120 receiving treatment in hospitals.

Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces said 142 if its members were injured.

Many protesters took out their ire against the banks that have restricted access to savings accounts and money transfers abroad by smashing the facade of the banking association.

The Lebanese pound has plummeted in value.

With Post wires