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Lebanon PM promises action against police 'excesses' Lebanon PM promises action against police 'excesses'
(about 4 hours later)
Lebanese PM Tammam Salam has promised to take action against police who used force to disperse demonstrations against piles of uncollected rubbish.Lebanese PM Tammam Salam has promised to take action against police who used force to disperse demonstrations against piles of uncollected rubbish.
He has warned that the country faces a political crisis and that there is no money to pay the salaries of a large number of public sector employees.He has warned that the country faces a political crisis and that there is no money to pay the salaries of a large number of public sector employees.
Demonstrators returned to the streets of central Beirut again on Sunday after dozens were wounded on Saturday. Police again fired water cannon at protesters in Beirut on Sunday after dozens were wounded on Saturday.
Lebanon does not have a president and parliament remains in a stalemate.Lebanon does not have a president and parliament remains in a stalemate.
Saturday's protest was attended by thousands and the biggest to date over uncollected rubbish.Saturday's protest was attended by thousands and the biggest to date over uncollected rubbish.
Mr Salam said that those security forces guilty of injuring demonstrators would be held accountable.Mr Salam said that those security forces guilty of injuring demonstrators would be held accountable.
He told a news conference on Sunday that the right to demonstrate was protected by the constitution.He told a news conference on Sunday that the right to demonstrate was protected by the constitution.
On Saturday police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon against thousands of protesters in downtown Beirut. Gunfire echoed through the streets into the night.On Saturday police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon against thousands of protesters in downtown Beirut. Gunfire echoed through the streets into the night.
At the same time Mr Salam has warned that the lack of a parliament may preclude the government from selling bonds, affecting the country's credit rating.At the same time Mr Salam has warned that the lack of a parliament may preclude the government from selling bonds, affecting the country's credit rating.
"The garbage crisis is what broke the camel's back, but the story is much bigger than this," Mr Salam was quoted by Bloomberg as saying."The garbage crisis is what broke the camel's back, but the story is much bigger than this," Mr Salam was quoted by Bloomberg as saying.
"Did you know that because of the failure to take decisions, we may not be able to pay the salaries of a large number of public sector employees?""Did you know that because of the failure to take decisions, we may not be able to pay the salaries of a large number of public sector employees?"
He warned that Lebanon's inability to service the public debt through bond sales could result in the country's credit rating falling down to the ranks of the "failed states".He warned that Lebanon's inability to service the public debt through bond sales could result in the country's credit rating falling down to the ranks of the "failed states".
Protesters blame political paralysis and corruption for the failure to resolve the rubbish crisis.Protesters blame political paralysis and corruption for the failure to resolve the rubbish crisis.
It started after the closure of Beirut's main landfill site last month, and has spread to other parts of the country.It started after the closure of Beirut's main landfill site last month, and has spread to other parts of the country.
In recent weeks - during hot summer weather - piles of rubbish have grown so large that some residents resorted to burning rubbish on the streets, releasing toxic fumes.In recent weeks - during hot summer weather - piles of rubbish have grown so large that some residents resorted to burning rubbish on the streets, releasing toxic fumes.
Lebanon has been without a president for more than 450 days.Lebanon has been without a president for more than 450 days.
MPs have been unable to decide on a president, a mainly ceremonial role, reserved for a Christian in a sectarian power-sharing system.MPs have been unable to decide on a president, a mainly ceremonial role, reserved for a Christian in a sectarian power-sharing system.
They have extended their own terms twice, dismissing calls for elections and legitimate representation.They have extended their own terms twice, dismissing calls for elections and legitimate representation.