Beirut protest turns violent for second day as PM threatens to quit

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Protests against the Lebanese government turned violent for a second day on Sunday, and Prime Minister Tammam Salam threatened to resign as public discontent brought thousands into the streets.

Anger at the Salam-led unity cabinet grouping Lebanon's fractious politicians has come to a head in recent weeks over its failure to resolve a crisis over garbage disposal that reflects the wider failings of the weak state.

Salam's cabinet has been hamstrung by political and sectarian rivalries that have been exacerbated by wider crises in the Middle East, including the war in neighbouring Syria.

Salam, in a televised address, warned that Lebanon was headed towards collapse, and he would not be a partner in that. Taking aim at Lebanon's politicians, he said the country's bigger problem was its "political garbage".

Mobilised by the trash crisis, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Beirut this weekend as part of the "You Stink" campaign directed at the government.

Water cannon and tear gas were fired at protesters, and demonstrators threw rocks and sticks at riot police as violence flared near Salam's offices in central Beirut.

The sound of gunfire was heard as security forces fired into the air, and clouds of tear gas wafted through the streets of central Beirut as the police sought to force protesters out of the area.

"The people want the downfall of the regime," chanted protesters. The National News Agency said petrol bombs were thrown at security forces.

Similar scenes unfolded on Saturday night. Dozens of people have been injured over the two days.

"Our issue is recovering all our rights - electricity, water and the rubbish we want removed from the streets," said Ahmed Qubaisi, who described himself as an activist in his 20s.

(Additional reporting by Issam Abdullah/Reuters TV; Writing by Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman; Editing by Andrew Roche)

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