Lebanon protesters take to streets over proposed new taxes

The protests erupted over the government's plan to impose new taxes during a severe economic crisis with people taking their anger out on politicians they accuse of corruption and decades of mismanagement.

Beirut: Anti-government protesters in Lebanon closed major intersections with burning tyres and garbage containers disrupting traffic on Friday.

Lebanese security forces fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters in Beirut early on Friday. The move form the police came after they tried to push through security barriers around the government headquarters amid some of the largest demonstrations the country has seen in years.

As reported, the riots left two people dead and dozens wounded.

After the protests escalated, the minister of education declared that public and private schools and universities would remain close on Friday.

The protests erupted over the government's plan to impose new taxes during a severe economic crisis with people taking their anger out on politicians they accuse of corruption and decades of mismanagement.

The protests could plunge Lebanon into a political crisis with unpredictable repercussions for the economy which has been in steady decline.

Some of the protesters said they would stay in the streets until the government resigns.