Beirut (CNN) Lebanese police fired tear gas and water cannons at hundreds of anti-government protesters in downtown Beirut on Saturday, as the monthslong demonstrations turned violent in what is being called a "week of rage."

CNN reporters on the ground near Martyrs' Square saw demonstrators throw molotov cocktails, rocks and fireworks at police, and shine lasers at them to disrupt successive rounds of tear gas, in a violent nighttime exchange that has been going on for more than two hours.

More than 80 people were hospitalized and 140 have been treated at the scene, according to the Lebanese Red Cross.

Demonstrations over one of the country's worst-ever economic crises began in mid-October and led to the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who is now leading the country in a caretaker role.

A protester stands with rocks in her hands in central Beirut as clashes between Lebanese internal security forces and demonstrators erupted on January 18.

Protests have been going on ever since, but had largely been peaceful. They erupted in violence this week as demonstrators began smashing bank windows and ATMs. Clashes with police have left dozens injured.

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