Lebanese govt buildings stormed after protesters killed

Anti-government protesters stormed Lebanon’s Labour Ministry today, hours after Lebanese soldiers shot and killed three people and wounded 12 others in clashes with stone-throwing demonstrators.

A fire broke out in the ministry building in Beirut after it was entered by a group of angry protesters.

Earlier in the day, the army said rioters hurled hand grenades and rocks at the troops, wounding 20.

The protesters blocked streets with burning tyres and black smoke could be seen rising from several areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

The clashes in Hay al-Soulom and Ouzai - both poor, crowded districts south of the Lebanese capital - came amid increasing anger over Lebanon’s ballooning deficit and what is seen as the government’s mismanagement of the economy.

Soldiers had fired to disperse an anti-government demonstration, killing three people and wounding eight others, security and hospital officials said.

The protest followed a strike call by unions protesting at the government’s economic policies and demanding a reduction in the price of petrol.

Security officials said soldiers fired warning shots to disperse protesters, but some bullets hit the demonstrators, killing three and wounding eight.