Rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons were fired to disperse anti-government protesters in Lebanon, as they clashed with security forces over the weekend.

Over 40 demonstrators were injured in central Beirut, the capital. Security forces repeatedly hit some protesters with batons.

It was some of the worst violence since demonstrations began two months ago.

The clashes brought the downtown area to a standstill for over eight hours as security forces fired a stream of tear gas canisters at the hundreds of protesters, who set fires in trash cans on the main streets, in part to mitigate the effects of tear gas.

The protesters chanted slogans against security forces and government officials, and pelted police with stones in scenes not seen in the capital since the demonstrations began on 17 October.

Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Show all 16 1 /16 Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Protestors burn buildings in downtown Beirut The protests in Lebanon began as a spontaneous burst of anger over new taxes. On October 17, mostly young men came on to the streets in the capital Beirut and across the country. They clashed with police and lit fires. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests A large fire is constructed near Lebanon's parliament building The new taxes included a levy on the messaging service WhatsApp. In a country where people were already struggling, it was the final nail in the coffin. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Protesters fight running battles with police Protesters continued to clash with police into the second night. Downtown Beirut became a battleground as volleys of tear gas rained down on demonstrators. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests The joker makes an appearance By the third day, the mood changed. The violence of the first two nights ebbed and numbers swelled. People came out by their thousands across the country. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Protesters occupy an abandoned theatre in downtown Beirut The protesters took control of the streets. They also reclaimed public space that had been off limits to them for years. This image was taken from a grand theatre in downtown Beirut that had been shuttered since the civil war. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Protesters look down from an abandoned building Here, two protesters look towards downtown from the top of a building nicknamed "the egg" for its dome-like structure. It was part of a complex that was under construction when war broke out in 1975, and it has remained empty and off-limits ever since. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests A protester faces off with a police officer Women have played a key role in these protests. They have been on the frontline of demonstrations and sit-ins — which had a marked effect reducing violence. For the first week, police didn't know how to deal with them. In this picture, a woman police officer tries to negotiate with a protester to remove a road block. She was part of a team of women police officers sent out on this day. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests A group of women resists police attempts to remove their sit-in This image was taken during a police attempt to remove people from blocking a road. Again, the presence of woman at the front of the sit-in led to the police abandoning the attempt. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests A woman chants at a roadblock protest on Beirut's ring road Protesters said the road blocks were vital in keeping up pressure on the government. Without them, they would be ignored. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests A living room is set up on one of Beirut's busiest roads Some of the roadblocks were more relaxed than others. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Tens of thousands pack Tripoli's Nour Square The protests may have started in Beirut, but they have sprung up around the country. This photograph was taken in Tripoli, Lebanon's second largest city. Protests there have outsized those in the capital Beirut. The city has been called the "bride of the revolution." Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests The crowd looks up as a singer performs for protesters in Tripoli's Nour Square The scenes in Tripoli are even more remarkable given its recent history. For years it has been plagued by extremism and violence. These mass displays of unity in the city's main square every night have done a lot to counter other Lebanese citizens' perception of Tripoli. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Young men take photographs of protests in Tripoli's Nour Square Tripoli is also one of Lebanon's poorest cities. The protests here have been fuelled by desperation of poor people struggling to get by. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Police protect protesters from Hezbollah supporters But the protests have not been without their opponents. As demonstrations entered their second week, the Lebanese Hezbollah movement began to show anger at protesters for their demand that all Lebanon's political leaders stand down. In this image, police stand between protesters and a group of Hezbollah supporters in downtown Beirut. Clashes broke out when they left. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests A group of Hezbollah and Amal supporters attacks peaceful protesters in Beirut The worst violence of the protests came towards the end of the second week. Several hundred supporters of Hezbollah and its political ally Amal attacked protesters who were blocking the main ring road in Beirut. Afterwards, they stormed into downtown and destroyed a protest encampment. Richard Hall / The Independent Lebanon rocked by nationwide protests Protesters pile tent poles in downtown Beirut after they were destroyed by Hezbollah and Amal supporters But the protesters came back to the main square, made a mountain from the poles of destroyed tents and placed a flag in it. The same day, Lebanon's prime minister Saad Hariri resigned, given protesters their first major victory. Richard Hall / The Independent

At one point, the scuffles reached the headquarters of one of the main Lebanese political parties, the Kataeb, where many protesters were taking cover.

The head of the party, Samy Gemayel, appeared on local TV stations as he tried to separate the protesters from advancing security forces.

Lebanon is facing one of its worst economic crises in decades and the protesters accuse the ruling political class in place for three decades of mismanagement and corruption.

The violence comes just two days before the president is due to hold talks with different parliamentary blocs to name a new prime minister.

The government headed by Saad Hariri, former prime minister, resigned on 29 October two weeks after the nationwide protests began.

Political groups have been unable to agree on a new candidate while protesters have been calling for a government unaffiliated with established political parties.

Local TV station LBC showed dozens chanting against Mr Hariri, who is emerging as the favourite candidate despite all the political bickering.

The protesters also shouted “the people want to bring down the regime” and accused government forces of excessive force.

The Red Cross and the Lebanese Civil Defence said at least 46 people were injured and transported to hospitals.

More protests are expected over the weekend.

The trouble started on Saturday when dozens of men, some wearing masks, threw stones and firecrackers at security forces on one edge of the protest camp in central Beirut.

They were supporters of the Shiite Hezbollah and Amal groups, angered by some of the criticism of their leaders by anti-government protesters.

Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Show all 20 1 /20 Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Protesters, mainly civil activists, started demonstrating in the downtown area of Beirut on 17 October, condemning proposed taxes in the 2020 budget EPA Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes An unexpected addition to impose a daily fee for using WhatsApp calls caused outrage. However, according to the Telecommunications Minister Mohamed Choucair, the charge will not make it through the government palace after the impact it has made on the streets Reuters Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Protesters take a selfie as they block the Dora highway EPA Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Protesters clash with riot policemen AP Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes A statue of the Virgin Mary in the background as black smoke rises from burning tires EPA Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes A Lebanese demonstrator stands in front of a tire fire during a protest against dire economic conditions in the Zahrani district in southern Lebanon on October 18, 2019. - Public anger has simmered since parliament passed an austerity budget in July to help trim a ballooning deficit and flared on Thursday over new plans to tax calls on messaging applications such as Whatsapp, forcing the government to axe the unpopular proposal. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images) MAHMOUD ZAYYAT AFP/Getty Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes A demonstrator holds a phone as he stands close to a fire during a protest over the deteriorating economic situation in Beirut, Lebanon October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir MOHAMED AZAKIR Reuters Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Demonstrators bring tires to be set on fire during a protest targeting the government over an economic crisis, at Barja area blocking off a main road leading from southern Lebanon to Beirut, October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho ALI HASHISHO Reuters Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes epa07929850 A protester throws a tire on a fire to block a Metn highway during a protest in north of Beirut, Lebanon, 18 October 2019. Protesters, mainly civil activists, started to demonstrate in downtown Beirut on 17 October, condemning the proposed taxes that would go along with the 2020 budget, especially an unexpected government plan to impose a fee of 0.20 cents a day for using WhatsApp calls. This charge will not make it through the government palace according to the Telecommunications Minister Mohamed Choucair after witnessing the impact this made on the streets. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH WAEL HAMZEH EPA Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Protesters clash with riot policemen AP Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Demonstrators sit together during a protest over deteriorating economic situation, in the city of Jounieh, north of Beirut, Lebanon October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Imad Creidi NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES Stringer . Reuters Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes epaselect epa07928866 A protester gestures by a fire of plastic barriers and trash set by protesters to block a road during a protest in Beirut, 17 October 2019. Thousands of protesters, mainly civil activists, demonstrated in downtown Beirut on 17 October, condemning the proposed taxes that would go along with the 2020 budget, especially an unexpected government plan to impose a fee of 0.20 cents a day for using WhatsApp calls. This charge will not make it through the government palace according to the Telecommunications Minister Mohamed Choucair after witnessing the impact this made on the streets. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH WAEL HAMZEH EPA Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Protesters in front of the Government Palace in downtown Beirut EPA Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Demonstrators burn wood and debris AFP/Getty Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes An anti-government protester makes victory sign, as he holds a Lebanese national flag and walks fire of tires that sits to block a road during a protest against government's plans to impose new taxes in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. Demonstrators in Lebanon are blocking major roads across the country in a second day of protests against proposed new taxes, which come amid a severe economic crisis. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Hassan Ammar AP Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes A demonstrator lights a torch during a protest over deteriorating economic situation in Beirut, Lebanon October 17, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir MOHAMED AZAKIR Reuters Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Demonstrators take a selfie in front of burning tires during a protest targeting the government over an economic crisis, at Barja area blocking off a main road leading from southern Lebanon to Beirut, October 18, 2019. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho ALI HASHISHO Reuters Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes epa07929616 A protester flashes victory signs in front a fire set by protesters to block a Dora highway during a protest in north of Beirut, Lebanon, 18 October 2019. Protesters, mainly civil activists, started to demonstrate in downtown Beirut on 17 October, condemning the proposed taxes that would go along with the 2020 budget, especially an unexpected government plan to impose a fee of 0.20 cents a day for using WhatsApp calls. This charge will not make it through the government palace according to the Telecommunications Minister Mohamed Choucair after witnessing the impact this made on the streets. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH WAEL HAMZEH EPA Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes Lebanese protesters wave placards during a protest against dire economic conditions in Zouk Mikael, north of the Lebanese capital Beirut on October 18, 2019. - Public anger has simmered since parliament passed an austerity budget in July to help trim a ballooning deficit and flared on Thursday over new plans to tax calls on messaging applications such as Whatsapp, forcing the government to axe the unpopular proposal. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images) JOSEPH EID AFP/ Getty Lebanon protests erupt after government plan to impose new taxes epa07929908 A protester runs by burning tires that were set fire to block a Metn highway during a protest in north of Beirut, Lebanon, 18 October 2019. Protesters, mainly civil activists, started to demonstrate in downtown Beirut on 17 October, condemning the proposed taxes that would go along with the 2020 budget, especially an unexpected government plan to impose a fee of 0.20 cents a day for using WhatsApp calls. This charge will not make it through the government palace according to the Telecommunications Minister Mohamed Choucair after witnessing the impact this made on the streets. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH WAEL HAMZEH EPA

It was the second time this week the groups tried to attack the protest camp.

Hours later, hundreds of anti-government protesters, including women, gathered outside parliament, hundreds of metres away from the protest camp.

Chaos ensued with reports of an attack on the anti-government rally, leading to a confrontation with security forces who tried to disperse the protesters.

For the first time since the protests erupted in Beirut, anti-riot police fired rubber bullets as they chased the demonstrators away from the area.

The clashes spread to streets surrounding the protest camp, engulfing the area in thick white smoke and the odour of tear gas.

Security forces chased protesters around central Beirut, some firing rubber bullets and several volleys of tear gas from armoured vehicles.

One officer was injured in the eye when a protester hit him with a stone, according to an Associated Press reporter.

Dozens of protesters had travelled to Beirut from the northern city of Tripoli to take part in the rally outside the parliament building.

Early Sunday, nearly a dozen riot police stood over two protesters and beat them with batons, according to an AP reporter on the scene. The two were later taken away to be treated by medics.

Tension has been building up in the protest camp. Some accused activists who organise discussions in the camp under the name “the Hub” of hosting critics of Hezbollah and calling for normalisation of ties with Israel.

The tent was attacked earlier in the week with firecrackers, burning it down.