Mass protests in Beirut and demands for change after devastating explosion - BBC News

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Lebanese capital Beirut, voicing anger at the country's leaders, after this week's devastating explosion in the port area of the city.

Protestors occupied the Foreign Ministry building and declared that it was the “seat of the revolution”. Riot police fired tear gas at some demonstrators who were throwing stones. Gunfire was heard coming from the city's central Martyrs' Square. The country's Prime Minister has called for early elections.

The explosion in the port was caused by a huge supply of ammonium nitrate which had been stored there despite warnings of the danger. At least 158 people were killed and more than 300,000 are homeless.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News reporting by our middle east correspondent Quentin Sommerville in Beirut.

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