It signaled the most significant public outburst
of anger against a dysfunctional system of government, but demonstrators
have yet to chart a clear path toward change.
The government's failure to resolve the trash
crisis has evolved into wider protests against a political class that
has dominated Lebanon since the end of the country's civil war in 1990
and a government that has failed to provide even basic services to its
people.
Protesters filled up the square known as Martyrs' Square,
shouting anti-government slogans in a peaceful, carnival-like
atmosphere.
The main group behind the protests is an activist
group that calls itself "You Stink," a catchy slogan playing off the
garbage crisis that addresses Lebanese politicians. The group has
attracted across the board support from ordinary Lebanese fed up with
the system, and angered at the festering, uncollected garbage piling up
near their homes.
In a speech before thousands of protesters in
Beirut, "You Stink" representative Rasha Halabi gave the government 72
hours to respond to its demands, threatening to escalate protests by
Tuesday evening if it doesn't.
Lebanese Model Myriam Klink (C) takes part in a mass rally in Beirut on Aug. 29, 2015.
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