BEIRUT, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Red Cross announced on Sunday that 169 were injured during Saturday's clashes between riot police and protesters in downtown Beirut, the National News Agency reported.

An anti-government protester throws a rock at security forces as they fire water cannon from behind a barrier during clashes in the central downtown district of the Lebanese capital Beirut near the parliament headquarters on January 18, 2020. (Photo by AFP)

The clashes broke out following the attempts by protesters to break barbed barriers set up by security forces at the entrance of the roads leading to the parliament's headquarters.

Protesters threw stones and tree branches at security forces, while riot police responded by using water cannons and tear gas.

Lebanon has been witnessing nationwide protests since Oct. 17, 2019 against the ruling political class.

Protesters have been demanding a technocrat government of independent ministers capable of implementing reforms and fighting against corruption.