Thousands of people gathered in Beirut on Saturday, demanding government resignation over corruption and negligence that they believe led to the horrific explosion this week.

Amid clashes with riot police, protesters stormed several government buildings and attempted to reach the Parliament. Several military units were eventually deployed to help riot police restore order, forcing the US Embassy in Beirut to wade into the crisis, voicing its support for the citizens’ “right to peaceful protest.”

The Lebanese people have suffered too much and deserve to have leaders who listen to them and change course to respond to popular demands for transparency and accountability.

Washington also encouraged “all involved to refrain from violence,” as the number of injuries climbed to 490, according to the emergency medical services – while authorities say 70 security officers were injured and at least one officer died in clashes.

While protests were frequent in Lebanon over the dire economic conditions, the Beirut tragedy reinvigorated the anti-government drive. Many blame the negligence of the authorities for the massive ammonium nitrate explosion on Tuesday, that killed more than 150 people and sent several thousands to hospitals. 

The incident triggered a massive international humanitarian response as a large part of the city lies in ruins, with many bodies still feared trapped under the rubble. To quell the violence and unrest amid the ongoing emergency response, Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab addressed the nation saying that he was going to request an early parliamentary election.

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