https://www.dw.com-Supporters of the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah staged a protest after a court dismissed a legal complaint about the judge investigating the 2020 Beirut port explosion.
Shattered glass is seen as army soldiers are deployed after gunfire erupted near the site of the protest
At least three people died and 20 were wounded Thursday as gunfire and explosions were reported near a protest in Beirut.
The protest outside the Justice Palace was called for by the Shiite Hezbollah group and its supporters against the lead judge investigating last year’s massive blast in Beirut’s port.
A court on Thursday dismissed the latest legal complaint brought against Judge Tarek Bitar, allowing him to resume work.
What do we know about the clashes?
The gunfire began when people heading to the protest organized by the shiite Hezbollah and Amal groups passed through the Christian neighborhood of Ain el-Remmaneh in Beirut.
Two explosions were heard as people ran for cover. Ambulance sirens were heard through the city and the Lebanese army deployed patrols to seek out the perpetrators.
“While protesters were going to Justice Palace, they were fired at in the Tayounah area,” an army statement said.
In a follow-up statement, the army said it would open fire with live rounds, asking civilians to evacuate the affected areas.
A journalist from the AP news agency saw a man open fire from his balcony with a pistol while victims lay around bleeding.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for the arrest of those responsible for the shootings as he appealed for calm on Thursday. He urged people “not to be dragged into civil strife.”
Protesters had gathered to demand Bitar’s removal after the judge insisted on subpoenaing top officials in the blast probe.
Human rights groups and families of the blast victims see Bitar as a guarantor of justice for the deadly blast, which occurred on August 4, 2020.
But a member of the Amal group threatened a “political escalation” on Tuesday if the investigation “was not rectified.”
Tensions spilled into the recently formed Lebanese cabinet as Hezbollah and Amal ministers pushed the government to replace Bitar, further deepening divisions.