In locked-down Lebanon, a protester is killed

In locked-down Lebanon, a protester is killed

A man was killed in the Lebanese city of Tripoli on Thursday in clashes between security forces and protesters angry over a strict lockdown that has cut off livelihoods in a collapsing economy.

Libby Hogan reports.

Protesters in the Northern Lebanese city of Tripoli set fire to a government building, lit cars and threw molotov cocktails at police late on Thursday.

A man was killed in the clashes, as people gathered on the streets, angry over a strict lockdown that has hurt jobs in a collapsing economy.

30 year old Omar Taybah was hit by a bullet overnight, according to a local hospital, security source and residents.

Witnesses and local media said police had fired live bullets as protesters tried to storm the northern city's government building leaving scores of people wounded.

A protester spoke to Reuters about what's fueling the unrest: "If those protesters weren't hungry they wouldn't come here, if bread is not available to the poor, politicians won't be safe and we will protest everyday, our demands are to reopen shops and reduce a bit in the dollar exchange rate, people can't breath anymore." Security forces defended their use of bullets to disperse rioters after the government building's guard room was set on fire.

In a statement they said the violence "led to the fall of a victim." It was the fourth straight night of protests in one of Lebanon's poorest cities.

A currency crash has triggered fears of rising hunger.

It's been compounded by a strict 24-hour lockdown, that has left even supermarkets shut since Jan.

11 after a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Still, Lebanese leaders have yet to launch a rescue plan or enact reforms to unlock aid, prompting criticism including from foreign donors.

Lebanon's Internal Security Forces said rioters threw hand grenades, including at a patrol, injuring at least nine officers.

Human Rights Watch called for an investigation into Thursday's death.