This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/25/world/middleeast/lebanese-activsts-mock-beirut-wall-mean-to-block-protest.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lebanese Activsts Mock ‘Beirut Wall’ Mean to Block Protest Lebanese Activists Mock ‘Beirut Wall’ Meant to Block Protest
(about 2 hours later)
Supporters of Lebanon’s “You Stink” protest movement — who were confronted with water cannon and tear gas over the weekend when they took to the streets to demand a solution to the trash crisis in Beirut — ridiculed the authorities online Monday for trying to stifle dissent by erecting a concrete blast wall around the seat of government.Supporters of Lebanon’s “You Stink” protest movement — who were confronted with water cannon and tear gas over the weekend when they took to the streets to demand a solution to the trash crisis in Beirut — ridiculed the authorities online Monday for trying to stifle dissent by erecting a concrete blast wall around the seat of government.
As the movement’s leaders promised that demonstrations would continue despite the threat of violence, social networks filled with images of a new row of concrete slabs installed outside the office of Prime Minister Tammam Salam in the Grand Serail, an Ottoman-era building in the center of Beirut.As the movement’s leaders promised that demonstrations would continue despite the threat of violence, social networks filled with images of a new row of concrete slabs installed outside the office of Prime Minister Tammam Salam in the Grand Serail, an Ottoman-era building in the center of Beirut.
Activists and journalists reported that, within hours, the new “Beirut Wall” was covered in antigovernment graffiti and provided a focal point for protesters who rallied after dark to denounce the use of force by the police.Activists and journalists reported that, within hours, the new “Beirut Wall” was covered in antigovernment graffiti and provided a focal point for protesters who rallied after dark to denounce the use of force by the police.
Lebanon’s interior minister, Nouhad Machnouk, who was abroad when the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters, causing scores of injuries, defended his officers and rejected calls for his resignation.Lebanon’s interior minister, Nouhad Machnouk, who was abroad when the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters, causing scores of injuries, defended his officers and rejected calls for his resignation.
After his return, the minister toured the area where the protests had taken place, inspecting what he described as vandalism by rioters who had taken advantage of the chaos.After his return, the minister toured the area where the protests had taken place, inspecting what he described as vandalism by rioters who had taken advantage of the chaos.
Mr. Machnouk’s efforts to project an image of competence were undermined, however, by a widely shared video clip posted on Facebook, and broadcast on Lebanese television, that appeared to show him dancing at a bar on the Greek island of Mykonos, with a look of tranquillity on his face and a backward baseball cap on his head, as the crisis escalated in Beirut.Mr. Machnouk’s efforts to project an image of competence were undermined, however, by a widely shared video clip posted on Facebook, and broadcast on Lebanese television, that appeared to show him dancing at a bar on the Greek island of Mykonos, with a look of tranquillity on his face and a backward baseball cap on his head, as the crisis escalated in Beirut.