Lockdown protest turns violent in Lebanon city

Lebanese security forces opened fire during violent clashes on Wednesday with dozens of protesters who took to the street in the country's north for a third consecutive day to denounce deteriorating living conditions amid a strict lockdown. At least one protester was hit by live ammunition and fell on the ground with blood coming out of his thigh.

Police said they were responding to hand grenades thrown by the protesters at security forces, injuring three officers. The violence marked a sharp escalation in confrontations in the northern city of Tripoli that began Monday. in a statement, the Red Cross said its volunteers transported 11 people to hospital, while 63 others were lightly injured and treated on the spot. Amid a dramatic surge in coronavirus infections, the government has imposed a nearly month-long nationwide lockdown.