BEIRUT (AFP) — Thousands of protesters from across Lebanon converged Saturday on downtown Beirut for a mass rally against a political class seen as corrupt and incapable of providing basic services.

Najah Wakim, head of the popular movement told al-Manar channel said that “what is happening is a start of popular revolution against the Lebanese government and it is just the beginning.”

Waving Lebanese flags, some marked “We’ve had enough,” men, women and children gathered at the iconic Martyrs Square which sat on a Christian-Muslim dividing line during Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war.

The protest, which officially began at 6:00 p.m., followed demonstrations last weekend that descended into violence with some protesters clashing with police.

“Today, we’re expecting more than 50,000 protesters,” said Assaad Thebian of the “You Stink” campaign which is stressing the non-partisan nature of the demonstration.

“This is not a protest for political parties. It is for all the Lebanese people… We are against the parties that are exploiting citizens,” said fellow organizer Lucien Bourjeily.

In the absence of political party flags which normally dominate such events in Lebanon, the crowd carried banners bearing blunt messages.

“Ali Baba and the 128 thieves,” read one, in reference to parliament speaker Nabih Berri and the 128-member house.

“Sometimes doing nothing is the most violent thing to do,” read another.

The “You Stink” campaign began in response to a trash crisis that started with the closure of Lebanon’s largest landfill in mid-July, resulting in garbage piling up on the streets of Beirut and beyond.

Since then there have been small protests which have broadened to include demands for a political overhaul of government institutions seen as corrupt and ineffective by many Lebanese.

Organizers have said they would call at Saturday’s demonstration for new parliamentary elections and for the resignation of the environment minister.

The “You Stink” campaign began in response to a trash crisis that started with the closure of Lebanon’s largest landfill in mid-July resulting in garbage piling up on the streets of Beirut and beyond. (AFP/Joseph Eid)

Moves to ‘prevent violence’

“This mobilization we see today is different. It is not politicized, it is not linked to any political movement,” said Jad Chaaban, a professor of economics at the American University of Beirut.

“This is important — the movement was able to unite people who are disgusted by politicians.”

Lebanon’s parliament has twice extended its mandate since 2009, and has been unable to elect a president since May 2014. Political deadlock has likewise paralyzed the cabinet.

The country suffers chronic electricity and water shortages, further strained by the influx of more than one million Syrian refugees.

These frustrations have sparked slogans targeting Lebanon’s political class, including “You stink,” “We want accountability” and “All of them, means all of them” — meaning no political leader would be exempt from public anger.

Last weekend, thousands of people gathered in central Beirut to vent their anger, with protesters calling for “the fall of the regime.”

But violence broke out on both Saturday and Sunday, with the campaign blaming “troublemakers” for the unrest which saw some protesters throw bottles and fireworks at security forces.

Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets.

To try to avoid similar unrest, authorities and the campaigners have adopted a number of measures.

The army and police were running a “joint operations room” to “guarantee the well-being of protesters” during Saturday’s protest, said Beirut governor Ziad Chebib.

The army also deployed troops around Martyrs Square while policemen were manning positions inside the square.

“You Stink” also mobilized 500 volunteers to coordinate with security forces to try to prevent violence, Thebian told AFP.

#345547*The protest movement has won support actors, singers and other artists, and has been given wide coverage from local television stations and on social networks. (AFP/Joseph Eid)

‘Take to the streets’

The protest movement has won support from actors, singers and other artists, and has been given wide coverage from local television stations and on social networks.

Many see it as a clear change from rallies which are usually organized by political parties to push a cause in Lebanon, a country divided by deep-rooted political rivalries.

“In the past, political leaders would organize protests. But today, all communities are participating because everyone is being affected” by the trash crisis, said prominent Lebanese singer Ghassan Saliba.

Chaaban said the failure by Lebanon’s politicians to find a solution to the crisis has highlighted corruption and further sparked the anger of the citizens.

“None of us have electricity or water. Take to the streets for yourself, for your children, for your country,” he said, calling for a massive turnout.

Ma’an staff contributed to this report.

http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=767327