A group of protesters stormed the foreign ministry in Beirut Saturday as rallies were held at the city’s Martyrs’ Square calling on officials to resign in the aftermath of deadly Beirut Port explosion.

Iran PressMiddle East: Participants shouted slogans, blaming officials for negligence leading to the Tuesday blast. Some were hurling stones as the demonstrators tried to force their way past a barricade in a street that leads to parliament, according to Al-Manar.

The police were then forced to fire teargas canisters to disperse the protesters.

Security forces had sent reinforcements to the downtown area, who later called for peaceful demonstrators to move away from areas where violence was taking place.

The building housing the economy and environment ministries, also entered by demonstrators, was set on fire. As night fell flames engulfed a large truck in the central square.

In a televised speech, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab said he would propose early elections.

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