Crowded protests in Beirut and calls for change after devastating blast – BBC News

Thousands have taken to the streets of the Lebanese capital Beirut to express the anger of the country’s leaders following this week’s devastating port explosion in the city. Protestants occupied the Foreign Ministry building and declared it the “seat of the revolution”. Riot police fired tear gas at some protesters who were throwing stones. The shots were heard coming from the city’s Martyrs’ Square. The country’s prime minister has called early elections. The explosion at the port was a huge supply of ammonium nitrate, despite warnings that what was stored there was in jeopardy. At least 158 ​​people were killed and more than 300,000 homeless. Clive Myrie has introduced BBC News to our eastern correspondent Quentin Sommerville of Beirut. Subscribe HERE .

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