france24--2020-01-18--Paris Opera musicians serenade public in pension reform protest

Musicians perform in front of the Palais Garnier during a demonstration of striking employees of the Opera Garnier and the Comedie Francaise , against the French government 's plan to overhaul the country 's retirement system in Paris , on January 18 , 2020 .
Striking musicians and singers of the Paris Opera staged an open-air concert on Saturday in front of the city 's historic opera house in protest against a pension reform that seeks to end their special retirement scheme .
Orchestra members and singers performed well-known airs by Verdi and Bizet in a half-hour event outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rendition of the Marseillaise .
The musicians were cheered on by colleagues including ballerinas who last month performed scenes from Swan Lake at the same spot in a similar protest over the proposed pensions overhaul .
The event drew applause from passers-by on a sunny winter 's afternoon in the French capital , where performances by the Paris Opera have been cancelled for the past month due to the strike by artists who want to preserve centuries-old retirement provisions .
`` We 're so unhappy about not being able to give our shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , in the street , to show the public that we 're not on holiday , '' Fabien Wallerand , a tuba player in the Paris Opera 's orchestra , told Reuters .
Protesters clash with police elsewhere in Paris Elsewhere in Paris , thousands of demonstrators , including “ Yellow Vests ” , took to the streets shouting slogans against police brutality , President Emmanuel Macron and his pension reforms .
They were greeted with tear gas by French police on Saturday , which also arrested several people .
Police said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disperse a bloc at the head of the protest in northern Paris , before coming under a hail of projectiles , AFP reporters witnessed .
This was the latest of the weekly demonstrations held every Saturday by the `` Yellow Vest '' movement since November 2018 , which have joined the opposition to the pension reforms .
`` We 're suffocating with this government who wants to put us on our knees , '' Annie Moukam , a 58-year-old teacher , said .
`` It 's out of the question that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have worked all our lives to be able to leave with a dignified retirement , '' she said .
`` It 's exactly that that he is challenging . ''
Saturday ’ s rallies also came on the 45th day of a strike that has hit train and metro traffic and caused misery for millions of commuters in Paris especially .
Trains are becoming more frequent however , and Paris 's metro drivers voted to suspend their action from Monday , their union Unsa announce Saturday .
Under an arrangement dating back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ XIV , Paris Opera dancers can retire on a full pension at the age of 42 , singers at 57 and musicians at 60 .
President Emmanuel Macron 's plan to merge France 's various pension schemes into a single system has triggered more than a month of strikes , particularly in public transport .
However , concessions by the government , notably a delay to a move to raise the age at which workers can claim a full pension from 62 to 64 , have contributed to a waning in strikes .

Striking musicians and singers of the Paris Opera staged an open-air concert on Saturday in front of the city's historic opera house in protest against a pension reform that seeks to end their special retirement scheme.
Musicians perform in front of the Palais Garnier during a demonstration of striking employees of the Opera Garnier and the Comedie Francaise, against the French government's plan to overhaul the country's retirement system in Paris, on January 18, 2020.
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Orchestra members and singers performed well-known airs by Verdi and Bizet in a half-hour event outside the Opera Garnier building, ending with a rendition of the Marseillaise.
The musicians were cheered on by colleagues including ballerinas who last month performed scenes from Swan Lake at the same spot in a similar protest over the proposed pensions overhaul.
The event drew applause from passers-by on a sunny winter's afternoon in the French capital, where performances by the Paris Opera have been cancelled for the past month due to the strike by artists who want to preserve centuries-old retirement provisions.
"We're so unhappy about not being able to give our shows that we're performing in a different way, in the street, to show the public that we're not on holiday," Fabien Wallerand, a tuba player in the Paris Opera's orchestra, told Reuters.
L’Opera de Paris en grève, la Comédie Française en grève. Concert de l’orchestre sur le parvis de l’Opera et défilé des salariés devant les applaudissements du public. « La culture en danger » #Greve18janvier pic.twitter.com/7LedhqVYrZ — Romain Lescurieux (@RLescurieux) January 18, 2020
Protesters clash with police elsewhere in Paris
Elsewhere in Paris, thousands of demonstrators, including “Yellow Vests”, took to the streets shouting slogans against police brutality, President Emmanuel Macron and his pension reforms. They were greeted with tear gas by French police on Saturday, which also arrested several people.
Police said 15 people were arrested after authorities tried to disperse a bloc at the head of the protest in northern Paris, before coming under a hail of projectiles, AFP reporters witnessed.
This was the latest of the weekly demonstrations held every Saturday by the "Yellow Vest" movement since November 2018, which have joined the opposition to the pension reforms.
"We're suffocating with this government who wants to put us on our knees," Annie Moukam, a 58-year-old teacher, said.
"It's out of the question that he (Macron) touches our pensions. We have worked all our lives to be able to leave with a dignified retirement," she said. "It's exactly that that he is challenging."
Saturday’s rallies also came on the 45th day of a strike that has hit train and metro traffic and caused misery for millions of commuters in Paris especially.
Trains are becoming more frequent however, and Paris's metro drivers voted to suspend their action from Monday, their union Unsa announce Saturday.
Under an arrangement dating back to 1698 and the reign of Louis XIV, Paris Opera dancers can retire on a full pension at the age of 42, singers at 57 and musicians at 60.
President Emmanuel Macron's plan to merge France's various pension schemes into a single system has triggered more than a month of strikes, particularly in public transport. However, concessions by the government, notably a delay to a move to raise the age at which workers can claim a full pension from 62 to 64, have contributed to a waning in strikes.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-18--Storms, flash floods douse parts of bushfire-stricken Australia

Bushland is seen burnt by fire as rain pools in large puddles at Bilpin , in the Blue Mountains , Australia , January 17 , 2020 .
Parts of Australia 's east coast were hit by severe storms on Saturday , dousing some of the bushfires that have devastated the region for months but causing road closures and flash flooding .
Fears of smoke from the fires disrupting the Australian Open tennis receded in Melbourne , where the main tournament was due to start on Monday .
Despite the heavy rain , authorities were still battling nearly 100 blazes - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 people since September , destroyed more than 2,500 homes and scorched an area nearly one-third the size of Germany .
Victoria , New South Wales and Queensland , three of the states most hit by drought and bushfires , are now dealing with rain bucketing down in several areas .
Major highways were closed in Queensland on Saturday , with the state getting some of the heaviest rain Australia has seen for months , while power was cut in parts of New South Wales after a stormy night .
`` Heavy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thunderstorms still possible through the weekend , '' the Bureau of Meteorology in Queensland said on Twitter on Saturday .
`` Take care on the roads - if it 's flooded , forget it . ''
Parts of Queensland 's south saw triple the monthly rainfall overnight .
No major damage has been reported , although some residential areas were flooded and many of the state 's parks and tourist attractions were closed .
New South Wales fire services welcomed the rain , which they said on Twitter would help to control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of which 25 are yet to be contained .
But , they also said that some firegrounds have not seen any rain yet .
More benign storms were forecast for Victoria over the weekend , which has been hit this week already by severe storms and unhealthy smoke from the bushfires .
Skies were clear in Melbourne , however , for the final round of qualifying for the Australian Open , the year 's first Grand Slam , and Victoria 's Environmental Protection rated the air quality as `` good '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the weekend .
There were still more than a dozen fires burning in Victoria on Saturday , with firefighters battling to contain a big blaze in the state 's mountain region , fifteen times the size of Manhattan .
Victoria 's emergency service also issued an evacuation warning due to a bushfire on Saturday for French Island , the state 's largest coastal island with a small population of just above 100 people .

Parts of Australia's east coast were hit by severe storms on Saturday, dousing some of the bushfires that have devastated the region for months but causing road closures and flash flooding.
Bushland is seen burnt by fire as rain pools in large puddles at Bilpin, in the Blue Mountains, Australia, January 17, 2020.
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Fears of smoke from the fires disrupting the Australian Open tennis receded in Melbourne, where the main tournament was due to start on Monday.
Despite the heavy rain, authorities were still battling nearly 100 blazes - part of the bushfires that have killed 29 people since September, destroyed more than 2,500 homes and scorched an area nearly one-third the size of Germany.
Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, three of the states most hit by drought and bushfires, are now dealing with rain bucketing down in several areas.
Major highways were closed in Queensland on Saturday, with the state getting some of the heaviest rain Australia has seen for months, while power was cut in parts of New South Wales after a stormy night.
"Heavy, intense rainfall has eased, but showers and thunderstorms still possible through the weekend," the Bureau of Meteorology in Queensland said on Twitter on Saturday.
"Take care on the roads - if it's flooded, forget it."
Parts of Queensland's south saw triple the monthly rainfall overnight. No major damage has been reported, although some residential areas were flooded and many of the state's parks and tourist attractions were closed.
New South Wales fire services welcomed the rain, which they said on Twitter would help to control the 75 fires burning in the state, of which 25 are yet to be contained. But, they also said that some firegrounds have not seen any rain yet.
More benign storms were forecast for Victoria over the weekend, which has been hit this week already by severe storms and unhealthy smoke from the bushfires.
Skies were clear in Melbourne, however, for the final round of qualifying for the Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam, and Victoria's Environmental Protection rated the air quality as "good", after an earlier forecast of unhealthy air for the weekend.
There were still more than a dozen fires burning in Victoria on Saturday, with firefighters battling to contain a big blaze in the state's mountain region, fifteen times the size of Manhattan.
Victoria's emergency service also issued an evacuation warning due to a bushfire on Saturday for French Island, the state's largest coastal island with a small population of just above 100 people.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-18--Libya’s pro-Haftar forces block oil exports from key ports

The Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company in Ras Lanuf , Libya , on October 19 , 2019 .
Forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar on Saturday blocked oil exports from Libya 's main ports , the National Oil Company said , raising the stakes on the eve of international peace talks .
The closure of Libya 's `` oil crescent '' will cause the country 's daily crude production to plunge from 1.3 million barrels to 500,000 barrels and cause losses of $ 55 million a day , the firm warned .
The string of export hubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled by Haftar - who is at war with the UN-recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) - since 2016 .
A group close to Haftar had called for a blockade of the export terminals to protest a Turkish intervention against the strongman , who dominates eastern Libya .
Turkey has backed the Tripoli-based GNA , which is battling an offensive by Haftar 's forces to seize the capital .
After months of combat , which has killed more than 2,000 people , a ceasefire took effect on January 12 backed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of supporting Haftar .
Haftar and GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj are expected to join the leaders of Russia , Turkey and France at a summit in Berlin on Sunday aimed at bringing peace to Libya .
The oil-rich North African state has been in turmoil since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew and killed dictator Mouammar Kadhafi .
Its oil sector , which brings in almost all of state revenues , has been the target of frequent attacks .
The NOC declared `` force majeure '' in response to the blockade - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from responsibility for failure to fulfil contracts .
A spokesman for the pro-Haftar forces , Ahmad al-Mismari , had said on Friday that the blockade was `` purely a popular decision .
It is the people who decided this . ''
But NOC chairman Moustafa Sanalla warned that it would have `` far-reaching '' consequences .
`` The oil and the oil facilities belong to the Libyan people .
They are not cards to be played to solve political matters , '' he said .

Forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar on Saturday blocked oil exports from Libya's main ports, the National Oil Company said, raising the stakes on the eve of international peace talks.
The Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company in Ras Lanuf, Libya, on October 19, 2019.
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The closure of Libya's "oil crescent" will cause the country's daily crude production to plunge from 1.3 million barrels to 500,000 barrels and cause losses of $55 million a day, the firm warned.
The string of export hubs along Libya's northeastern coast has been controlled by Haftar - who is at war with the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) - since 2016.
A group close to Haftar had called for a blockade of the export terminals to protest a Turkish intervention against the strongman, who dominates eastern Libya.
Turkey has backed the Tripoli-based GNA, which is battling an offensive by Haftar's forces to seize the capital.
After months of combat, which has killed more than 2,000 people, a ceasefire took effect on January 12 backed by both Ankara and Moscow, which is accused of supporting Haftar.
Haftar and GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj are expected to join the leaders of Russia, Turkey and France at a summit in Berlin on Sunday aimed at bringing peace to Libya.
The oil-rich North African state has been in turmoil since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew and killed dictator Mouammar Kadhafi.
Its oil sector, which brings in almost all of state revenues, has been the target of frequent attacks.
The NOC declared "force majeure" in response to the blockade - a legal measure which exempts the corporation from responsibility for failure to fulfil contracts.
A spokesman for the pro-Haftar forces, Ahmad al-Mismari, had said on Friday that the blockade was "purely a popular decision. It is the people who decided this."
But NOC chairman Moustafa Sanalla warned that it would have "far-reaching" consequences.
"The oil and the oil facilities belong to the Libyan people. They are not cards to be played to solve political matters," he said.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-18--‘Royal Highnesses’ no more: Britain’s Harry and Meghan to give up titles

Britain 's Queen Elizabeth , Prince Harry and Meghan , the Duchess of Sussex , pose for a picture at in London , Britain June 26 , 2018 .
Britain 's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have agreed to give up their royal titles and stop receiving public funds as part of a settlement with the Queen that lets them spend more private time in Canada .
The announcement from Buckingham Palace on Saturday follows more than a week of intense private talks aimed at managing the fallout of the couple 's shock decision to give up front-line royal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations and more recent discussions , I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family , '' Queen Elizabeth II said in a statement .
`` I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life . ''
Her comments referred to battles with the media that prompted Harry and Meghan - known until now as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - to sue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
A separate statement attributed to Buckingham Palace said `` the Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family '' .
HRH is the acronym for Her Royal Highness .
`` As agreed in this new arrangement , they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties , including official military appointments .
They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties , '' the statement said .
The settlement added that the two will also repay £2.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayer 's money spent on renovating their Frogmore Cottage home near Windsor Castle .
The Palace added that it would not comment on who ends up paying for their security detail in Canada - an issue of intense public debate .
It also failed to mention whether the couple would be allowed to benefit financially from future royalties and franchise fees .
Harry and Meghan are seeking to register the `` Sussex Royal '' brand as a global trademark for their future enterprises .
The couple are dedicated to environmental causes and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a `` progressive '' new role .
The queen 's announcement is her second on the royal crisis - dubbed Megxit in honour of Britain 's painful battle over Brexit - ahead of Harry and Meghan 's effective resignation on March 8 .
`` We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution , '' the couple said at the time .
`` We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now there with their son Archie .
Their announcement caught the royal family by surprise and created a media sensation in both Britain and the wider world .
Their treatment by London 's hard-hitting tabloid press and their personal future - as well as questions about longstanding royal traditions - have turned into daily front-page news .
Media reports said Harry would probably join Meghan and Archie on the west coast of Canada this coming week .

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have agreed to give up their royal titles and stop receiving public funds as part of a settlement with the Queen that lets them spend more private time in Canada.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, pose for a picture at in London, Britain June 26, 2018.
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The announcement from Buckingham Palace on Saturday follows more than a week of intense private talks aimed at managing the fallout of the couple's shock decision to give up front-line royal duties.
"Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family," Queen Elizabeth II said in a statement.
"I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life."
Her comments referred to battles with the media that prompted Harry and Meghan - known until now as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - to sue several newspapers over intrusions into their private lives.
A separate statement attributed to Buckingham Palace said "the Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family".
HRH is the acronym for Her Royal Highness.
"As agreed in this new arrangement, they understand that they are required to step back from Royal duties, including official military appointments. They will no longer receive public funds for Royal duties," the statement said.
The settlement added that the two will also repay £2.4 million ($3.1 million) of taxpayer's money spent on renovating their Frogmore Cottage home near Windsor Castle.
'Progressive new role'
The Palace added that it would not comment on who ends up paying for their security detail in Canada - an issue of intense public debate.
It also failed to mention whether the couple would be allowed to benefit financially from future royalties and franchise fees.
Harry and Meghan are seeking to register the "Sussex Royal" brand as a global trademark for their future enterprises.
The couple are dedicated to environmental causes and are looking to develop their charitable foundation as part of a "progressive" new role.
The queen's announcement is her second on the royal crisis - dubbed Megxit in honour of Britain's painful battle over Brexit - ahead of Harry and Meghan's effective resignation on March 8.
"We have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," the couple said at the time.
"We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America."
Meghan then jetted back to Canada and is now there with their son Archie.
Their announcement caught the royal family by surprise and created a media sensation in both Britain and the wider world.
Their treatment by London's hard-hitting tabloid press and their personal future - as well as questions about longstanding royal traditions - have turned into daily front-page news.
Media reports said Harry would probably join Meghan and Archie on the west coast of Canada this coming week.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-19--Trump recounts Qassem Soleimani's final moments

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks following the US military airstrike against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad , Iraq , in West Palm Beach , Florida , US , January 3 , 2020 Cameras `` miles in the sky '' , a countdown and then `` boom '' : US President Donald Trump has recounted the final moments of Iran 's powerful General Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike .
Trump delivered the account Friday night to Republican Party donors gathered at his Florida residence Mar-a-Lago for a fundraising dinner , US media said .
CNN on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president gave new details about the January 3 strike at the airport in Baghdad .
It killed the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force commander and members of Iraq 's Hashed al-Shaabi , a paramilitary force with close ties to Iran .
`` He was supposed to be invincible , '' Trump said .
Democrats and other critics have questioned the timing of the strike , the month before Trump 's Senate impeachment trial , and the administration 's shifting reasons for launching it .
In the audio released by CNN , Trump did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said Soleimani was planning .
Nor was there a reference to `` four embassies '' which Trump later alleged were being targeted .
`` He was saying bad things about our country .
He was saying like , 'We 're going to attack your country .
We 're going to kill your people . '
I said 'Look , how much of this shit do we have to listen to ? '
, '' Trump told his guests .
He then described the scene , relaying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live updates to him in Washington .
`` They said , 'Sir , and this is from , you know , cameras that are miles in the sky .
They are together sir .
Sir , they have two minutes and 11 seconds .
No bullshit .
They have two minutes and 11 seconds to live , sir .
They 're in the car .
They 're in an armored vehicle going .
Sir , they have approximately one minute to live , sir ... 30 seconds , 10 , nine , eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They 're gone , sir . '
'' Trump acknowledged that the US strike `` shook up the world '' but said Soleimani `` deserved to be hit hard '' because he was responsible for killing `` thousands of Americans '' -- a figure which contrasted with one he gave on January 8 .
At that time , Trump said the Iranian `` wounded and murdered thousands of US troops . ''
Iran vowed revenge for the US strike , raising fears of war , and later launched missiles at bases in Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Cameras "miles in the sky", a countdown and then "boom": US President Donald Trump has recounted the final moments of Iran's powerful General Qasem Soleimani in an American drone strike.
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks following the US military airstrike against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq, in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, January 3, 2020
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Trump delivered the account Friday night to Republican Party donors gathered at his Florida residence Mar-a-Lago for a fundraising dinner, US media said.
CNN on Saturday broadcast an audio recording in which the president gave new details about the January 3 strike at the airport in Baghdad. It killed the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force commander and members of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, a paramilitary force with close ties to Iran.
"He was supposed to be invincible," Trump said.
Democrats and other critics have questioned the timing of the strike, the month before Trump's Senate impeachment trial, and the administration's shifting reasons for launching it.
In the audio released by CNN, Trump did not refer to an "imminent" attack which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said Soleimani was planning. Nor was there a reference to "four embassies" which Trump later alleged were being targeted.
"He was saying bad things about our country. He was saying like, 'We're going to attack your country. We're going to kill your people.' I said 'Look, how much of this shit do we have to listen to?'," Trump told his guests.
He then described the scene, relaying the words of the military officers giving live updates to him in Washington.
"They said, 'Sir, and this is from, you know, cameras that are miles in the sky. They are together sir. Sir, they have two minutes and 11 seconds. No bullshit. They have two minutes and 11 seconds to live, sir. They're in the car. They're in an armored vehicle going. Sir, they have approximately one minute to live, sir... 30 seconds, 10, nine, eight... then all of sudden boom. They're gone, sir.'"
Trump acknowledged that the US strike "shook up the world" but said Soleimani "deserved to be hit hard" because he was responsible for killing "thousands of Americans" -- a figure which contrasted with one he gave on January 8. At that time, Trump said the Iranian "wounded and murdered thousands of US troops."
Iran vowed revenge for the US strike, raising fears of war, and later launched missiles at bases in Iraq housing US troops. None were killed.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-19--Hundreds wounded as clashes in Lebanon escalate

Almost 400 people were wounded Saturday during running battles between Lebanese anti-government protesters and security forces in the capital Beirut , rescue services said .
It was the heaviest toll since the protests erupted three months ago , with the Red Cross and Civil Defence saying 377 people at least were rushed to hospitals or treated at the scene .
Protesters had called Saturday for a week of `` anger '' as an economic crisis deepened while efforts remained deadlocked to form a new government to replace the one that stepped down under street pressure late last year .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the wave of popular protests that has demanded the wholesale ouster of the Lebanese political class , which the activists condemn as inept and corrupt .
Saturday 's clashes began after dozens of protesters , who came from the country 's north , east and Beirut , some concealing their faces with scarves , threw rocks , plant pots and other objects at anti-riot police guarding the road leading to parliament .
Others tried to breach barbed wire barricades to reach the legislature building or charged police lines using traffic signs as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds .
The pitched street battles lasted for nearly nine hours and were among the worst scene of rioting since protests broke out in mid-October .
The Civil Defence said late Saturday 43 people were taken to hospital and that it had treated at the scene 114 others who were `` slightly injured or suffered from breathing problems '' .
The Red Cross said it had rushed 80 people to city hospitals while 140 , including both protesters and members of the security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene of the clashes .
The state-run National News Agency said around 30 people were detained following the violence but were later released.Meanwhile security forces said they had opened an investigation after a video shared online showed police beating up people believed to be protesters as they were brought to a Beirut police station.The protest movement that has rocked Lebanon since October 17 is demanding that a new government be comprised of independent experts and exclude all established political parties.The previous government headed by veteran premier Saad Hariri stepped down on October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has stayed on in a caretaker capacity.The demonstrators have been denouncing rampant corruption in Lebanon and accuse authorities of being inefficient and motivated by personal and partisan gains.Political factions agreed on December 19 to appoint former education minister Hassan Diab as the new premier but have since squabbled over proposed ministers.The World Bank has warned of the worsening impact on the economy , saying the poverty rate in Lebanon could rise from a third to half of the population if the political crisis is not resolved soon.On Sunday , calls were posted online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP )

Almost 400 people were wounded Saturday during running battles between Lebanese anti-government protesters and security forces in the capital Beirut, rescue services said.
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It was the heaviest toll since the protests erupted three months ago, with the Red Cross and Civil Defence saying 377 people at least were rushed to hospitals or treated at the scene.
Protesters had called Saturday for a week of "anger" as an economic crisis deepened while efforts remained deadlocked to form a new government to replace the one that stepped down under street pressure late last year.
More demonstrations are expected later Sunday as part of the wave of popular protests that has demanded the wholesale ouster of the Lebanese political class, which the activists condemn as inept and corrupt.
Saturday's clashes began after dozens of protesters, who came from the country's north, east and Beirut, some concealing their faces with scarves, threw rocks, plant pots and other objects at anti-riot police guarding the road leading to parliament.
Others tried to breach barbed wire barricades to reach the legislature building or charged police lines using traffic signs as weapons.
The security forces responded with volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
The pitched street battles lasted for nearly nine hours and were among the worst scene of rioting since protests broke out in mid-October.
The Civil Defence said late Saturday 43 people were taken to hospital and that it had treated at the scene 114 others who were "slightly injured or suffered from breathing problems".
The Red Cross said it had rushed 80 people to city hospitals while 140, including both protesters and members of the security forces, were given first aid at the scene of the clashes.
FINAL UPDATE: 18 ambulances, 80 EMTs and 6 dispatchers from the LRC responded to the protests in downtown Beirut. Over 80 victims have been transported to nearby hospitals and over 140 injured were treated at the scene. LRC teams are still on standby and ready to respond. pic.twitter.com/p1OG7WFqwl — Lebanese Red Cross (@RedCrossLebanon) January 18, 2020
The state-run National News Agency said around 30 people were detained following the violence but were later released.
Meanwhile security forces said they had opened an investigation after a video shared online showed police beating up people believed to be protesters as they were brought to a Beirut police station.
The protest movement that has rocked Lebanon since October 17 is demanding that a new government be comprised of independent experts and exclude all established political parties.
The previous government headed by veteran premier Saad Hariri stepped down on October 29 under pressure from the street but has stayed on in a caretaker capacity.
The demonstrators have been denouncing rampant corruption in Lebanon and accuse authorities of being inefficient and motivated by personal and partisan gains.
Political factions agreed on December 19 to appoint former education minister Hassan Diab as the new premier but have since squabbled over proposed ministers.
The World Bank has warned of the worsening impact on the economy, saying the poverty rate in Lebanon could rise from a third to half of the population if the political crisis is not resolved soon.
On Sunday, calls were posted online for new demonstrations near the parliament.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)
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france24--2020-01-19--China reports 17 more cases of new virus strain

China reported 17 more cases of pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus strain on Sunday , stoking worries as the country gears up to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year when much of the population travels .
Three of those patients are seriously ill , according to a statement issued by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission .
The total number of patients infected by the disease in China , all of them in the central Chinese city of Wuhan , has now climbed to 62 .
Two have died .
The 17 new patients began exhibiting symptoms such as a fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Chinese Lunar New Year is a one-week holiday that starts from Jan.24 this year .
The new virus belongs to the large family of coronaviruses that includes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) , which killed nearly 800 people globally during a 2002-2003 outbreak that also started in China .
The United States said on Friday that it would begin screening efforts at three U.S. airports to track travellers from Wuhan who may have symptoms of the fever .
Though experts say the new virus does not appear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known about its origins and it is not clear whether human-to-human transmission can occur .
Thailand has reported two cases of the virus and Japan has reported one .
All of the cases so far have involved people either living in Wuhan or who have travelled to the city .

China reported 17 more cases of pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus strain on Sunday, stoking worries as the country gears up to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year when much of the population travels.
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Three of those patients are seriously ill, according to a statement issued by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission.
The total number of patients infected by the disease in China, all of them in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, has now climbed to 62. Two have died.
The 17 new patients began exhibiting symptoms such as a fever or cough before Jan.13, the statement said.
01:28
The Chinese Lunar New Year is a one-week holiday that starts from Jan.24 this year.
The new virus belongs to the large family of coronaviruses that includes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 800 people globally during a 2002-2003 outbreak that also started in China.
The United States said on Friday that it would begin screening efforts at three U.S. airports to track travellers
from Wuhan who may have symptoms of the fever.
Though experts say the new virus does not appear to be as lethal as SARS, little is known about its origins and it is not clear whether human-to-human transmission can occur. Thailand has reported two cases of the virus and Japan has reported one.
All of the cases so far have involved people either living in Wuhan or who have travelled to the city.
02:39
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-19--Tear gas, dozens of arrests in fresh anti-Macron protest in Paris

French police fired tear gas under a rain of projectiles and arrested dozens of people on Saturday as thousands of `` yellow vest '' anti-government protesters returned to the streets of Paris .
Demonstrators shouted slogans denouncing the police , President Emmanuel Macron and his pension reforms that have triggered the longest French transport strike in decades .
The night before Macron and his wife Brigitte had to be rushed briefly from a Paris theatre after protesters tried to burst in and disrupt the performance .
With sirens wailing , riot police drove across the French capital in dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protesters marched .
The police said 59 people had been arrested by the early afternoon .
There were further allegations of police violence after video footage shot by AFPTV and others showed a young man , his face covered in blood , being arrested and beaten .
Young people wearing masks shouted `` revolution '' as tear gas drifted by the Bastille , the square where the French revolution erupted in 1789 .
`` The street is ours , '' some protesters chanted .
`` Macron , we 're going to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Saturday 's clashes came on the 45th day of a strike that has hit train and metro traffic and caused misery for millions of commuters in and around Paris in particular .
Trains are becoming more frequent however , and Paris 's metro drivers voted to suspend their action from Monday , their union UNSA announced Saturday .
The protests were also the latest of the weekly demonstrations held every Saturday by the yellow vest movement since November 2018 , and which have been boosted by those opposed to the pension reforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government who wants to put us on our knees , '' said Annie Moukam , a 58-year-old teacher among the protesters .
`` It 's out of the question that he ( Macron ) touches our pensions .
We have worked all our lives to be able to leave with a dignified retirement , '' she added .
Macron 's reforms aim to forge a single pensions system from the country 's 42 separate regimes .
The various systems currently in place offer early retirement and other benefits to some public-sector workers as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even Paris Opera employees .
Critics say the reforms will effectively force millions of people to work longer for a smaller pension .
The transport unions have joined forces with the yellow vests , who accuse Macron of ruling on behalf of an urban elite while ignoring people in the provinces and the countryside , many of whom struggle to make ends meet .
The unions are looking for a second wind as their movement starts to flag , with the proportion of striking workers at national railway operator SNCF falling to less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louvre in Paris , the world 's most visited museum , reopened on Saturday after being shut down by workers opposed to the pension overhaul .
There was no sign of an end to the strike at the Paris Opera , which has lost 14 million euros ( $ 15 million ) with the cancellation of 67 performances .
The Paris Opera orchestra on Saturday gave renditions of Carmen and other works to Parisians and tourists on the steps of the Palais Garnier to show support for the strike .
Under a stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Marseillaise , '' the national anthem .
Supporters chanted `` Long live the strike '' .
Macron 's staff said the president and his wife were able to return to the play , `` The Fly , '' when police prevented protesters entering the renowned theatre Bouffes du Nord .
But authorities kept in custody overnight Friday Taha Bouhafs , the journalist who tipped off protesters about the presence of the Macrons at the theatre , a judicial source said .
Bouhafs , who was watching the same play , was detained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group formed to commit violence or cause damage , '' the source said .
However he was released late Saturday night without being charged , a judge giving him the status of `` assisted witnesses , '' his lawyer told AFP .
`` This is an unprecedented violation of freedom of information and the rights of journalists , at the request of the Elysee Palace , '' said lawyer Me Alimi .

French police fired tear gas under a rain of projectiles and arrested dozens of people on Saturday as thousands of "yellow vest" anti-government protesters returned to the streets of Paris.
A protestor wearing a yellow vest faces off with CRS riot police during a demonstration in Paris as part of the 36th consecutive day of strike against French government's pensions reform plans in France, January 9, 2020.
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Demonstrators shouted slogans denouncing the police, President Emmanuel Macron and his pension reforms that have triggered the longest French transport strike in decades.
The night before Macron and his wife Brigitte had to be rushed briefly from a Paris theatre after protesters tried to burst in and disrupt the performance.
With sirens wailing, riot police drove across the French capital in dozens of vans Saturday to the route where thousands of protesters marched.
The police said 59 people had been arrested by the early afternoon.
There were further allegations of police violence after video footage shot by AFPTV and others showed a young man, his face covered in blood, being arrested and beaten.
Young people wearing masks shouted "revolution" as tear gas drifted by the Bastille, the square where the French revolution erupted in 1789.
"The street is ours," some protesters chanted. "Macron, we're going to come for you, in your home."
Saturday's clashes came on the 45th day of a strike that has hit train and metro traffic and caused misery for millions of commuters in and around Paris in particular.
Trains are becoming more frequent however, and Paris's metro drivers voted to suspend their action from Monday, their union UNSA announced Saturday.
The protests were also the latest of the weekly demonstrations held every Saturday by the yellow vest movement since November 2018, and which have been boosted by those opposed to the pension reforms.
'Long live the strike'
"We're suffocating with this government who wants to put us on our knees," said Annie Moukam, a 58-year-old teacher among the protesters.
"It's out of the question that he (Macron) touches our pensions. We have worked all our lives to be able to leave with a dignified retirement," she added.
Macron's reforms aim to forge a single pensions system from the country's 42 separate regimes.
The various systems currently in place offer early retirement and other benefits to some public-sector workers as well as lawyers, physical therapists and even Paris Opera employees.
Critics say the reforms will effectively force millions of people to work longer for a smaller pension.
The transport unions have joined forces with the yellow vests, who accuse Macron of ruling on behalf of an urban elite while ignoring people in the provinces and the countryside, many of whom struggle to make ends meet.
The unions are looking for a second wind as their movement starts to flag, with the proportion of striking workers at national railway operator SNCF falling to less than five percent on Friday.
The Louvre in Paris, the world's most visited museum, reopened on Saturday after being shut down by workers opposed to the pension overhaul.
There was no sign of an end to the strike at the Paris Opera, which has lost 14 million euros ($15 million) with the cancellation of 67 performances.
The Paris Opera orchestra on Saturday gave renditions of Carmen and other works to Parisians and tourists on the steps of the Palais Garnier to show support for the strike.
Under a stream of confetti, they finished with "La Marseillaise," the national anthem. Supporters chanted "Long live the strike".
'The Fly'
Macron's staff said the president and his wife were able to return to the play, "The Fly," when police prevented protesters entering the renowned theatre Bouffes du Nord.
But authorities kept in custody overnight Friday Taha Bouhafs, the journalist who tipped off protesters about the presence of the Macrons at the theatre, a judicial source said.
Après 24 heures baladé de commissariat en commissariat, de cellule en cellule et après un passage devant la juge d'instruction qui ne m'a pas, comme le demandait le parquet, mis en examen, me voilà libre.
Merci à vous toutes et tous pour votre mobilisation ❤
📸 LouizArt pic.twitter.com/DcMILGudw5 — Taha Bouhafs (@T_Bouhafs) January 19, 2020
Bouhafs, who was watching the same play, was detained on charges of "participating in a group formed to commit violence or cause damage," the source said.
However he was released late Saturday night without being charged, a judge giving him the status of "assisted witnesses," his lawyer told AFP.
"This is an unprecedented violation of freedom of information and the rights of journalists, at the request of the Elysee Palace," said lawyer Me Alimi.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-19--World powers agree to strengthen arms embargo in Libya’s war

At a Berlin summit , World leaders committed on Sunday to ending all foreign meddling in Libya ’ s war and to uphold a weapons embargo , as a part of a broader plan to end the spiraling conflict , German chancellor Angela Merkel announced during a press conference , as participants agreed on targeting a political solution to the conflict .
The presidents of Russia , Turkey and France were among global chiefs signing up to the plan to stop interfering in the war - be it through weapons , troops or financing .
But the talks failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warring parties - strongman Khalifa Haftar and the head of Tripoli 's United Nations-recognised government Fayez al-Sarraj - or to get both sides to sign up to a permanent truce , although both men were in Berlin .
German chancellor Angela Merkel Merkel and her foreign minister met both men individually at the chancellery before the summit began .
They were n't in a group photo at the beginning of the event , and further details of their participation were not immediately available Merkel said that countries with interests in Libya ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect a much-violated arms embargo , which should be better controlled than it has been to date .
The participants at Sunday ’ s summit in Berlin agreed to provide no further military support to the warring parties while a cease-fire lasts , Merkel said after about four hours of talks at the chancellery in Berlin .
`` We all agree that we should respect the arms embargo and that the arms embargo should be controlled more strongly than it has been in the past , '' said summit host Merkel .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libya , where ensuring that a ceasefire is immediately respected is simply not easy to guarantee '' .
`` But I hope that through today 's conference , we have a chance the truce will hold further , '' she added .
Libya has been torn by fighting between rival armed factions since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi .
Most recently , Sarraj 's troops in Tripoli have been under attack since April from Haftar 's forces .
Clashes have killed more than 280 civilians and 2,000 fighters and displaced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceasefire backed by both Ankara and Moscow was put in place on January 12 .
Although Sarraj 's government is recognised by the UN , powerful players have broken away to stand behind Haftar - turning a domestic conflict into what some have described as a proxy war in which international powers jostle to secure their own interests .
International alarm grew in recent weeks after Turkey ordered in troops to shore up Sarraj 's government .
Germany and the UN , as the conference 's hosts , had been struggling to draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he quit talks and more than half of Libya 's oil output was shut in areas he controls .
Guterres expressed his worry that several oil ports and an oilfield had been shut down in Libya , an escalation that threatened to strangle the country 's finances and overshadowed the Berlin summit .
Among those attending were Russian President Vladimir Putin , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , French President Emmanuel Macron , Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference with Merkel , said a follow-up committee on Libya would be set up which would spell out further steps needed to reach a ceasefire .
With the idea gathering pace , Britain and Italy had voiced readiness to help .
But as Guterres noted , that discussion remains premature : `` First , we need to have a ceasefire - we can not monitor something that does n't exist . ''

Foreign powers agreed at a summit in Berlin on Sunday to shore up a shaky truce in Libya, but the meeting was overshadowed by blockades of oilfields by forces loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar that could cripple the country's crude production.
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Haftar, whose self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) is bearing down on the capital, Tripoli, with the backing of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russian mercenaries and African troops, attended the one-day summit in the German capital despite having abandoned talks over a ceasefire last week.
Turkey has rushed troops to Tripoli, as well as Turkish-backed fighters from Syria, to help Libya's internationally recognised government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj resist eastern commander Haftar's assault.
Although there has been a lull in air strikes and less fighting over the past 10 days, heavy exchanges of artillery fire could be heard from some front lines south of Tripoli late on Sunday, residents said.
00:42
Libya has had no stable central authority since dictator Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown by NATO-backed rebels in 2011. For more than five years, it has had two rival governments, in the east and the west, with streets controlled by armed groups.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters that the Berlin summit, attended by the main backers of the rival Libyan factions, had agreed that a tentative truce in Tripoli over the past week should be turned into a permanent ceasefire to allow a political process to take place.
A special committee made up of five military officials from each side will monitor the truce, she said. Foreign powers active in Libya have committed themselves to uphold an existing U.N. arms embargo and stop shipping weapons there, she added.
Serraj and Haftar did not meet in Berlin, Merkel said, highlighting the gulf between the two.
"We know that we have not solved all of Libya's problems today but we were aiming for fresh momentum," she said.
Haftar, the east's most powerful figure, has won backing from a range of foreign allies for an assault to capture Tripoli in the west, while Turkish support for Tripoli's effort to repel him has turned the conflict into a proxy war. More than 150,000 people have been displaced by the fighting for the capital.
Oil output to tumble in 'days'
Haftar quit a Turkish-Russian summit a week ago and escalated the conflict on Friday when eastern oil ports were shut down. Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) said the shutdown was directly ordered by Haftar's forces.
On Sunday, NOC said the major southwestern fields of El Sharara and El Feel were closing after forces loyal to Haftar shut a pipeline.
The closures will cut Libya's oil output to 72,000 barrels a day (bpd) from 1.2 million bpd in just a few days' time unless the blockages are lifted, the NOC said.
Any lasting closure could hit Tripoli hard since the government relies on oil revenues to fund its budget.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was very worried about the closure. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Serraj and Haftar had "in general" agreed to solve the output blockage, without giving a time frame.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters that progress had been made towards reaching a full-fledged ceasefire in Libya's war, adding that he hoped Libyan oil facilities would reopen as a result of the talks.
The east under Haftar has tried to export oil, bypassing the NOC, to gain a greater share of oil revenues.
Unwilling to lay down arms
A call for a ceasefire from Russia and Turkey helped reduce fighting a week ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin said ahead of a meeting with Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the conference.
"We don't lose hope that dialogue will continue and the conflict will be solved," Putin said.
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio called the summit a "point of departure" for achieving a ceasefire and blocking a flow of arms into Libya that has accelerated with Haftar's
offensive.
Italy, the former colonial power, has a particular interest in Libyan security as the main destination of hundreds of thousands of African migrants sent across the Mediterranean by smugglers until a sharp downturn in flows in 2017.
But since the NATO bombing campaign that helped overthrow Gaddafi, Western countries have stepped back from playing a decisive role in Libya, allowing Russia, Turkey and Arab states to take the lead as outside powers with the most clout.
Pompeo and European and Arab leaders attended the summit, and Haftar's forces published pictures of him meeting Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash tweeted on Sunday night that the UAE supported efforts by the Berlin conference to seek a political
solution to the crisis in Libya.
Both Serraj and Haftar met Merkel on different occasions. Serraj could be also seen hugging Erdogan, while Macron and Haftar were both seen smiling in pictures when they met in a corridor.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-01-19--Lebanon security forces, protesters clash in second day of violent escalation

Lebanese anti-government protesters gather by the barricaded road leading to parliament in central Beirut on January 19 , 2020 amid heavily deployed security forces .
Lebanese anti-riot police dispersed stone-throwing protesters with tear gas in the Lebanese capital Sunday , as heavy rain capped a weekend of rare violence that wounded hundreds .
Medics said 145 people were wounded in the latest clashes , taking the casualty toll to more than 530 in two days .
Thick clouds of white tear gas billowed in central Beirut , pushing protesters out of a flashpoint road near parliament after hours of clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets .
Unprecedented protests have rocked the country since October 17 , with citizens from all religious backgrounds demanding the ouster of a political class viewed as inept , corrupt and responsible for an ever-deepening economic crisis .
For a second night in a row , dozens of people started lobbing stones at police behind a metal barricade blocking a road to parliament , crying `` revolution , revolution '' .
Anti-riot forces responded with water cannons , rubber bullets and then thick plumes of tear gas that pushed demonstrators back towards a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Red Cross said more than 145 people were injured , including 45 who needed treatment in hospital .
The state-run National News Agency ( NNA ) said two journalists were hit by rubber bullets , one a cameraman from local television channel Al-Jadeed .
President Michel Aoun called for a `` security meeting '' on Monday with the interior and defence ministers to discuss the crisis , NNA reported .
But a 34-year-old protester called Mazen said he and others had lost hope in politicians .
`` After three months of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they do n't change , do n't listen , and have nothing to give , '' he said .
On Saturday , at least 377 people were wounded - both protesters and members of the security forces - according to a toll compiled by AFP from figures provided by the Red Cross and Civil Defence .
Lawyers said more than 40 protesters were arrested on Saturday before being released .
Most were subjected to `` excessive violence '' , while some were wounded `` especially to the head and face , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Defence of Protesters said on Facebook .
The lawyers also visited hospitals , from where they reported serious injuries including some caused by rubber bullets .
On Sunday , local television aired the testimonies of relatives of two young men they said were hit in the eyes by rubber bullets .
Security forces said they had opened a probe after a video shared online showed police beating up people believed to be protesters as they were brought to a Beirut police station .
Human Rights Watch condemned what it called `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanon 's riot police against largely peaceful demonstrators '' .
It accused the riot police on Saturday of `` launching tear gas canisters at protesters ' heads , firing rubber bullets in their eyes and attacking people at hospitals and a mosque '' .
Saturday 's clashes began after dozens of protesters threw stones and plant pots at security forces , and tried to charge police lines near parliament with traffic signs .
The security forces responded with water cannon and thick tear gas .
Protesters had called for a week of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure to form a new government even as the country sinks deeper into a financial crisis .
`` Another day without a government , another night of violence and clashes , '' UN envoy to Lebanon Jan Kubis said on Twitter .
Outgoing prime minister Saad Hariri , who stepped down on October 29 , urged political parties to `` stop wasting time '' .
`` Form a government and pave the way towards political and economic solutions , '' he said .
Political factions agreed on December 19 to appoint former education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but have since squabbled over proposed ministers .
Diab on Sunday evening met President Michel Aoun to discuss the matter , NNA said .
Protesters have demanded a new government be comprised solely of independent experts , and exclude all established political parties .
The World Bank has warned the poverty rate in Lebanon could rise from a third to half of the population if the political crisis is not resolved soon .

Lebanese anti-riot police dispersed stone-throwing protesters with tear gas in the Lebanese capital Sunday, as heavy rain capped a weekend of rare violence that wounded hundreds.
Lebanese anti-government protesters gather by the barricaded road leading to parliament in central Beirut on January 19, 2020 amid heavily deployed security forces.
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Medics said 145 people were wounded in the latest clashes, taking the casualty toll to more than 530 in two days.
Thick clouds of white tear gas billowed in central Beirut, pushing protesters out of a flashpoint road near parliament after hours of clashes, before the downpour largely cleared the streets.
Unprecedented protests have rocked the country since October 17, with citizens from all religious backgrounds demanding the ouster of a political class viewed as inept, corrupt and responsible for an ever-deepening economic crisis.
For a second night in a row, dozens of people started lobbing stones at police behind a metal barricade blocking a road to parliament, crying "revolution, revolution".
Anti-riot forces responded with water cannons, rubber bullets and then thick plumes of tear gas that pushed demonstrators back towards a main square, an AFP reporter said.
The Red Cross said more than 145 people were injured, including 45 who needed treatment in hospital.
21 Search and Rescue EMTs are still conducting, in challenging weather conditions, a search operation in the outskirts of #Harbata. We are still searching for 2 persons that have been lost since last night. pic.twitter.com/2SUIZ5axkD — Lebanese Red Cross (@RedCrossLebanon) January 19, 2020
The state-run National News Agency (NNA) said two journalists were hit by rubber bullets, one a cameraman from local television channel Al-Jadeed.
President Michel Aoun called for a "security meeting" on Monday with the interior and defence ministers to discuss the crisis, NNA reported.
But a 34-year-old protester called Mazen said he and others had lost hope in politicians.
"After three months of revolution, they have proven to us that they don't change, don't listen, and have nothing to give," he said.
'Excessive violence'
On Saturday, at least 377 people were wounded - both protesters and members of the security forces - according to a toll compiled by AFP from figures provided by the Red Cross and Civil Defence.
Lawyers said more than 40 protesters were arrested on Saturday before being released.
Most were subjected to "excessive violence", while some were wounded "especially to the head and face, and genitals", the Committee of Lawyers for the Defence of Protesters said on Facebook.
The lawyers also visited hospitals, from where they reported serious injuries including some caused by rubber bullets.
On Sunday, local television aired the testimonies of relatives of two young men they said were hit in the eyes by rubber bullets.
Security forces said they had opened a probe after a video shared online showed police beating up people believed to be protesters as they were brought to a Beirut police station.
Human Rights Watch condemned what it called "the brutal use of force unleashed by Lebanon's riot police against largely peaceful demonstrators".
NEW POST: Brutal Crackdown on Protesters #Lebanon’s riot police used excessive force against largely peaceful protesters in downtown Beirut on Jan 18, in the most brutal crackdown since the nationwide anti-government protests began on Oct 17. https://t.co/CxKwRUUnA3 pic.twitter.com/bg4Sn6KMPp — Aya Majzoub (@Aya_Majzoub) January 19, 2020
It accused the riot police on Saturday of "launching tear gas canisters at protesters' heads, firing rubber bullets in their eyes and attacking people at hospitals and a mosque".
'Stop wasting time'
Saturday's clashes began after dozens of protesters threw stones and plant pots at security forces, and tried to charge police lines near parliament with traffic signs.
The security forces responded with water cannon and thick tear gas.
Protesters had called for a week of "anger" over the political leadership's failure to form a new government even as the country sinks deeper into a financial crisis.
"Another day without a government, another night of violence and clashes," UN envoy to Lebanon Jan Kubis said on Twitter.
Another day without a government, another night of violence and clashes. — Jan Kubis (@UNJanKubis) January 19, 2020
Outgoing prime minister Saad Hariri, who stepped down on October 29, urged political parties to "stop wasting time".
"Form a government and pave the way towards political and economic solutions," he said.
Political factions agreed on December 19 to appoint former education minister Hassan Diab as the new premier but have since squabbled over proposed ministers.
Diab on Sunday evening met President Michel Aoun to discuss the matter, NNA said.
Protesters have demanded a new government be comprised solely of independent experts, and exclude all established political parties.
The World Bank has warned the poverty rate in Lebanon could rise from a third to half of the population if the political crisis is not resolved soon.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-19--In images: Lebanon’s ‘week of rage’ spills onto Beirut streets

After three months of largely peaceful protests across Lebanon , violence erupted this weekend as demonstrators , frustrated with the deteriorating economic crisis and political deadlock , clashed with riot police in the capital , Beirut on Saturday .
Lebanon ’ s ‘ week of rage ’ has witnessed an outpouring of wrath on the streets that threatens to spiral unless protesters demands are met .
When protesters across sectarian , geographic and class divides took to the streets of Lebanon in mid-October calling for change , the public display of unity and bonhomie captured the nation .
Demonstrators initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s planned tax on WhatsApp and other messaging applications , but they gradually expanded to protests calling for “ the fall of the regime ” .
The images emerging from the streets of the capital , Beirut , as well as northern cities such as Tripoli and Nabatiyeh in the south , defied the news stereotypes of Arab security officials violently cracking down on protesters .
One image and video clip in particular summed up the mood of the nation and promptly went viral .
On October 23 , Lebanese army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connecting to national highways that protesters had blocked .
The setting was ripe for a standoff .
Both sides knew that and were determined to avoid it .
“ Peaceful !
Peaceful !
” the demonstrators chanted , some offering roses to the soldiers .
In the thick of the protest , a soldier was caught on camera moved to tears , sobbing as the line-up of troops faced protesters .
As the demonstrators waved Lebanese flags and broke out into the national anthem , Koulouna lil watan – “ All of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters hugged the emotional young soldier , some sympathetically patting his cheeks .
Within hours , the clip went viral , with social media users noting that the soldiers were also Lebanese , sharing the same dreams of their fellow citizens .
Barely three months later , the scenes on the streets of Beirut were starkly different this weekend .
Almost 400 people were wounded Saturday in running battles between protesters and security forces in the capital .
Clashes began after dozens of protesters , some concealing their faces with scarves , threw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarding the road leading to parliament .
Others tried to breach barbed wire barricades to reach the legislature building or charged police lines using traffic signs as weapons .
Security forces responded with volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds .
Reporting from Beirut , FRANCE 24 ’ s Leila Molana-Allen said Saturday ’ s violence was unlike anything Lebanon had witnessed since protests erupted in October .
The demonstrations started fairly peacefully on Saturday afternoon , explained Molana-Allen .
“ Then a group of protesters decided they wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been blocked off by riot police .
When that happened , almost immediately riot police responded by firing water cannons at them .
That ’ s been quite rare in these protests .
That angered protesters who say parliament belongs to us.
” After 5.30 pm local time , the violence escalated and riot police began using tear gas , according to Molana-Allen .
“ One of the things that ’ s been happening is that riot police are not using the tear gas correctly .
There are many images of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
Now that is illegal under international law , if that can be proven -- human rights watchers are looking into it , ” she explained .
On Sunday , Human Rights Watch described the security force response as “ brutal '' and called for an urgent end to a “ culture of impunity ” for police abuse .
“ There was no justification for the brutal use of force unleashed by Lebanon ’ s riot police against largely peaceful demonstrators in downtown Beirut , '' said Michael Page , deputy Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police showed a blatant disregard for their human rights obligations , instead launching teargas canisters at protesters ’ heads , firing rubber bullets in their eyes and attacking people at hospitals and a mosque.
” Dozens of protesters were arrested as the Beirut night sky lit up with fireworks set off before riot police lines and thick clouds of smoke engulfed parts of the city .
Frustrated by a deepening economic crisis while efforts remained deadlocked to form a new government to replace the one that had stepped in , protesters on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The scenes from Beirut have since changed , with images of protesters smashing bank windows , expressing their fury over the deteriorating economic situation .
The Lebanese pound has lost nearly half its value since protests began , dollar shortages have driven up prices and confidence in the banks has collapsed .
Political deadlock On October 29 , Saad Hariri announced his resignation as prime minister .
More than a month later , on December 19 , Lebanon ’ s political factions finally agreed on the appointment of former education minister Hassan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has promised to form a technocratic government of “ experts , ” in keeping with the demands of Lebanese citizens weary of the country ’ s archaic confessional system that has seen political factions negotiate to keep a grip on power while failing to deliver basic services .
But Diab ’ s attempts to form a government of independent experts have faced pushback from Lebanon ’ s powerful sectarian groups particularly the Amal Movement , Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Party founded by President Michel Aoun .
Lebanon has been without a government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday to issue a call for politicians to urgently form a new government .
`` There is a roadmap to calm the popular storm .
Stop wasting time , form a government , open the door to political and economic solutions , '' tweeted Hariri .
Three months after protests erupted across the country , a prime minister and his cabinet may have fallen in Lebanon , but the system of patronage and privileges entrenched in a sectarian system has proved much more difficult to dislodge .

After three months of largely peaceful protests across Lebanon, violence erupted this weekend as demonstrators, frustrated with the deteriorating economic crisis and political deadlock, clashed with riot police in the capital, Beirut on Saturday. Lebanon’s ‘week of rage’ has witnessed an outpouring of wrath on the streets that threatens to spiral unless protesters demands are met.
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When protesters across sectarian, geographic and class divides took to the streets of Lebanon in mid-October calling for change, the public display of unity and bonhomie captured the nation.
Demonstrators initially took to the streets to protest the government’s planned tax on WhatsApp and other messaging applications, but they gradually expanded to protests calling for “the fall of the regime”.
The images emerging from the streets of the capital, Beirut, as well as northern cities such as Tripoli and Nabatiyeh in the south, defied the news stereotypes of Arab security officials violently cracking down on protesters.
One image and video clip in particular summed up the mood of the nation and promptly went viral.
On October 23, Lebanese army soldiers tried to open up arterial roads connecting to national highways that protesters had blocked. The setting was ripe for a standoff. Both sides knew that and were determined to avoid it. “Peaceful! Peaceful!” the demonstrators chanted, some offering roses to the soldiers.
In the thick of the protest, a soldier was caught on camera moved to tears, sobbing as the line-up of troops faced protesters. As the demonstrators waved Lebanese flags and broke out into the national anthem, Koulouna lil watan – “All of us for the nation" – a few protesters hugged the emotional young soldier, some sympathetically patting his cheeks.
Within hours, the clip went viral, with social media users noting that the soldiers were also Lebanese, sharing the same dreams of their fellow citizens.
مخيف الشعور اللي عم يحسو العسكري هلق ... ويلو يعمل اللي مطلوب منو ... وويلو اهلو و ناسو اللي واقفين ليطالبو بحقوقو و حقوقهن سوا ... ❤#لبنان_ينتفض #ثورة_لبنان pic.twitter.com/wkgQFroEKQ — zoulfikar harake🎽 (@HarakeZoulfikar) October 23, 2019
Barely three months later, the scenes on the streets of Beirut were starkly different this weekend. Almost 400 people were wounded Saturday in running battles between protesters and security forces in the capital.
Tents burnt during clashes in Beirut, January 18, 2020. © REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Clashes began after dozens of protesters, some concealing their faces with scarves, threw rocks and other objects at anti-riot police guarding the road leading to parliament.
A demonstrator throws a stone during a protest against a ruling elite accused of steering Lebanon towards economic crisis in Beirut, Lebanon January 18, 2020. © Mohamed Azakir, Reuters
Others tried to breach barbed wire barricades to reach the legislature building or charged police lines using traffic signs as weapons.
Protesters use a road sign to ram barricades near the parliament in Beirut on January 18, 2020. © ANWAR AMRO / AFP
Security forces responded with volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
Lebanese security forces fire tear gas canisters during clashes with protesters in Beirut, January 18, 2020. AFP - ANWAR AMRO
Reporting from Beirut, FRANCE 24’s Leila Molana-Allen said Saturday’s violence was unlike anything Lebanon had witnessed since protests erupted in October.
The demonstrations started fairly peacefully on Saturday afternoon, explained Molana-Allen. “Then a group of protesters decided they wanted to get into Parliament Square, which has been blocked off by riot police. When that happened, almost immediately riot police responded by firing water cannons at them. That’s been quite rare in these protests. That angered protesters who say parliament belongs to us.”
Demonstrators hit by water canon during clashes with riot police in Beirut, January 18, 2020. REUTERS - MOHAMED AZAKIR
After 5.30 pm local time, the violence escalated and riot police began using tear gas, according to Molana-Allen. “One of the things that’s been happening is that riot police are not using the tear gas correctly. There are many images of them actually shooting tear gas canisters directly at protesters. Now that is illegal under international law, if that can be proven -- human rights watchers are looking into it,” she explained.
On Sunday, Human Rights Watch described the security force response as “brutal" and called for an urgent end to a “culture of impunity” for police abuse.
“There was no justification for the brutal use of force unleashed by Lebanon’s riot police against largely peaceful demonstrators in downtown Beirut," said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at HRW. “Riot police showed a blatant disregard for their human rights obligations, instead launching teargas canisters at protesters’ heads, firing rubber bullets in their eyes and attacking people at hospitals and a mosque.”
Lebanese riot policeman loads tear gas canisters into a launcher during clashes with protesters Jan. 18, 2020. AFP - ANWAR AMRO
Dozens of protesters were arrested as the Beirut night sky lit up with fireworks set off before riot police lines and thick clouds of smoke engulfed parts of the city.
Frustrated by a deepening economic crisis while efforts remained deadlocked to form a new government to replace the one that had stepped in, protesters on Tuesday launched a “week of anger”.
The scenes from Beirut have since changed, with images of protesters smashing bank windows, expressing their fury over the deteriorating economic situation. The Lebanese pound has lost nearly half its value since protests began, dollar shortages have driven up prices and confidence in the banks has collapsed.
Protesters smash a bank window in Beirut, January 14, 2020. © REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Political deadlock
On October 29, Saad Hariri announced his resignation as prime minister. More than a month later, on December 19, Lebanon’s political factions finally agreed on the appointment of former education minister Hassan Diab as the new premier.
Diab has promised to form a technocratic government of “experts,” in keeping with the demands of Lebanese citizens weary of the country’s archaic confessional system that has seen political factions negotiate to keep a grip on power while failing to deliver basic services.
But Diab’s attempts to form a government of independent experts have faced pushback from Lebanon’s powerful sectarian groups particularly the Amal Movement, Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Party founded by President Michel Aoun.
Lebanon has been without a government since October 29, prompting Hariri on Sunday to issue a call for politicians to urgently form a new government.
"There is a roadmap to calm the popular storm. Stop wasting time, form a government, open the door to political and economic solutions," tweeted Hariri.
أخيراً كلمة إلى اهلي في #طرابلس والشمال، يعز عليّ ان يقال انه تم استقدام شبان باسمكم لأعمال العنف أمس. لكنني أعلم ان كرامة بيروت أمانة رفيق الحريري عندكم وانتم خط الدفاع عن سلامتها وضمير التحركات الشعبية ووجهها الطيب. احذروا رفاق السوء وراقبوا ما يقوله الشامتون بتخريب العاصمة ٣/٣ — Saad Hariri (@saadhariri) January 19, 2020
Three months after protests erupted across the country, a prime minister and his cabinet may have fallen in Lebanon, but the system of patronage and privileges entrenched in a sectarian system has proved much more difficult to dislodge.
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france24--2020-01-19--French prosecutors open inquiry into police assault of protester

This combination of pictures created on January 19 , 2020 and taken from a video released by a demonstrator on January 18 , 2020 shows a riot police officer beating up a protester on the sidelines of a `` yellow vest '' ( Gilets Jaunes ) anti-government protest near Gare de l'Est in Paris .
A police investigation has been open after a video showing a protester being beaten up by a riot police officer went viral on January 18 , 2020 .
French prosecutors said Sunday that an inquiry had been opened after a riot police officer was seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Paris , a scene that was caught on camera and went viral .
The move comes after several alleged incidents of police brutality against pension reform protesters as well as the `` yellow vest '' anti-government rallies that began more than a year ago .
In the incident filmed during a `` yellow vest '' protest on Saturday , a man with a bloodied head is seen being held down on his back by a helmeted officer , who then strikes him hard on the face .
The Paris prosecutors ' office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to launch an investigation into `` intentional violence by a person in a position of public authority '' .
Another video of the incident , filmed near the Gare de l'Est train station by AFP TV , shows the man screaming in pain on his stomach as the officer pins down his elbow with his knee .
`` The police chief has asked the department of public order to give a full account of this incident , '' the Paris police department said .
The authorities said 60 people were detained during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sporadic clashes between protesters and police , with 45 held for questioning afterwards .
The protests were the latest of the weekly Saturday demonstrations held by yellow vests since November 2018 , and which have been boosted by opponents of a planned pensions overhaul .
President Emmanuel Macron warned last week that the `` unacceptable behaviour '' of some officers risked undermining the `` credibility and dignity '' of the force .
But he also denounced the violence of some extremist protesters who have hurled paving stones and other projectiles at security forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus stops or burning vehicles and trash bins .
Prosecutors have also opened an inquiry after a posh brasserie favoured by Macron was targeted in what is being treated as an arson attack before dawn on Saturday .
Firefighters quickly put out the blaze and traces of combustible fuel were later found on the bistro ’ s heavily damaged terrace - where Macron drew the ire of critics after hosting a lavish party just after winning the first round of the 2017 presidential vote .
`` When there are marches and so on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Rotonde , Death to Macron ' - it happens all the time : anonymous phone calls , people who enter in the middle of the day saying 'Death to Macron ' , '' Gerard Tafanel , who owns the bistro with his brother Serge , told AFP .
Unions have called for a new day of demonstrations on Friday , when the government is expected to present a final version of its hotly contested pensions overhaul to Macron 's cabinet for approval .
But labour leaders at the Paris transport operator RATP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bus strike now in its 46th day , which also led to mass disruptions of national train services .
The strike had already eased recently after the government temporarily dropped a measure that would have required people to work until 64 to have a full pension .
However , an Ifop poll released Sunday showed that 51 percent of respondents backed the strike , while 33 percent were opposed .

French prosecutors said Sunday that an inquiry had been opened after a riot police officer was seen punching a detained protester at a demonstration in Paris, a scene that was caught on camera and went viral.
This combination of pictures created on January 19, 2020 and taken from a video released by a demonstrator on January 18, 2020 shows a riot police officer beating up a protester on the sidelines of a "yellow vest" (Gilets Jaunes) anti-government protest near Gare de l'Est in Paris. A police investigation has been open after a video showing a protester being beaten up by a riot police officer went viral on January 18, 2020.
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The move comes after several alleged incidents of police brutality against pension reform protesters as well as the "yellow vest" anti-government rallies that began more than a year ago.
In the incident filmed during a "yellow vest" protest on Saturday, a man with a bloodied head is seen being held down on his back by a helmeted officer, who then strikes him hard on the face.
The Paris prosecutors' office said it ordered the police oversight body to launch an investigation into "intentional violence by a person in a position of public authority".
Another video of the incident, filmed near the Gare de l'Est train station by AFP TV, shows the man screaming in pain on his stomach as the officer pins down his elbow with his knee.
Voici un autre angle de l'interpellation, filmé par l'AFPTV autour de 14h30 #AFP pic.twitter.com/zrjeteRfx3 — Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) January 19, 2020
"The police chief has asked the department of public order to give a full account of this incident," the Paris police department said.
The authorities said 60 people were detained during the demonstration, which was again marked by sporadic clashes between protesters and police, with 45 held for questioning afterwards.
The protests were the latest of the weekly Saturday demonstrations held by yellow vests since November 2018, and which have been boosted by opponents of a planned pensions overhaul.
President Emmanuel Macron warned last week that the "unacceptable behaviour" of some officers risked undermining the "credibility and dignity" of the force.
But he also denounced the violence of some extremist protesters who have hurled paving stones and other projectiles at security forces during protests, while smashing storefronts and bus stops or burning vehicles and trash bins.
allo @Place_Beauvau - c'est pour un signalement - 870
Manifestant maîtrisé, au sol, puis frappé à terre.
Paris, secteur Gare de l’Est, #Acte62, 18 janvier 2020, vers 14h. Source: Pat Ricia sur https://t.co/MANxKPtEQE pic.twitter.com/bfGmG30h4t — David Dufresne (@davduf) January 18, 2020
Bistro blaze
Prosecutors have also opened an inquiry after a posh brasserie favoured by Macron was targeted in what is being treated as an arson attack before dawn on Saturday.
Firefighters quickly put out the blaze and traces of combustible fuel were later found on the bistro’s heavily damaged terrace - where Macron drew the ire of critics after hosting a lavish party just after winning the first round of the 2017 presidential vote.
"When there are marches and so on, you hear people saying 'Death to the Rotonde, Death to Macron' - it happens all the time: anonymous phone calls, people who enter in the middle of the day saying 'Death to Macron'," Gerard Tafanel, who owns the bistro with his brother Serge, told AFP.
Unions have called for a new day of demonstrations on Friday, when the government is expected to present a final version of its hotly contested pensions overhaul to Macron's cabinet for approval.
But labour leaders at the Paris transport operator RATP voted Saturday to suspend a crippling metro and bus strike now in its 46th day, which also led to mass disruptions of national train services.
The strike had already eased recently after the government temporarily dropped a measure that would have required people to work until 64 to have a full pension.
However, an Ifop poll released Sunday showed that 51 percent of respondents backed the strike, while 33 percent were opposed.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-01-19--'Stop wasting time' in govt talks, economic solutions, says Lebanon's Hariri

Lebanon 's Saad Hariri on Sunday urged politicians to urgently form a new government and find solutions for the country 's economic crisis , after a night of violent clashes between security forces and protesters .
`` There is a roadmap to calm the popular storm .
Stop wasting time , form a government , open the door to political and economic solutions , '' tweeted Hariri , who resigned as prime minister in October under pressure from a wave of protests .
`` To keep the army , security forces and protesters in a state of confrontation is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Lebanon has been paralysed by three months of protests demanding an overhaul of the entire political system .
Hariri , who resigned as premier in October , said the violence threatened civil peace .
`` It is an insane , suspicious and rejected scene , '' he tweeted .
After the unrest pushed Hariri to quit , feuding politicians have failed to agree on a new cabinet or rescue plan .
The Lebanese pound has lost nearly half its value , dollar shortages have driven up prices and confidence in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had marched and chanted against the political class in other parts of the capital in the afternoon .
A large banner at one of the rallies read : `` If the people go hungry , they will eat their rulers . ''

Lebanon's Saad Hariri on Sunday urged politicians to urgently form a new government and find solutions for the country's economic crisis, after a night of violent clashes between security forces and protesters.
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"There is a roadmap to calm the popular storm. Stop wasting time, form a government, open the door to political and economic solutions," tweeted Hariri, who resigned as prime minister in October under pressure from a wave of protests.
أخيراً كلمة إلى اهلي في #طرابلس والشمال، يعز عليّ ان يقال انه تم استقدام شبان باسمكم لأعمال العنف أمس. لكنني أعلم ان كرامة بيروت أمانة رفيق الحريري عندكم وانتم خط الدفاع عن سلامتها وضمير التحركات الشعبية ووجهها الطيب. احذروا رفاق السوء وراقبوا ما يقوله الشامتون بتخريب العاصمة ٣/٣ — Saad Hariri (@saadhariri) January 19, 2020
"To keep the army, security forces and protesters in a state of confrontation is to circle inside the problem," he said.
Lebanon has been paralysed by three months of protests demanding an overhaul of the entire political system.
Hariri, who resigned as premier in October, said the violence threatened civil peace. "It is an insane, suspicious and rejected scene," he tweeted.
After the unrest pushed Hariri to quit, feuding politicians have failed to agree on a new cabinet or rescue plan. The Lebanese pound has lost nearly half its value, dollar shortages have driven up prices and confidence in the banks has collapsed.
Hundreds of people had marched and chanted against the political class in other parts of the capital in the afternoon. A large banner at one of the rallies read: "If the people go hungry, they will eat their rulers."
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS and AP)
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france24--2020-01-20--Documents reveal how 'Africa's richest woman' stole fortune from her country

Isabel Dos Santos , daughter of Angola ’ s former President and Africa 's richest woman , sits for a portrait during a Reuters interview in London , Britain , January 9 , 2020 .
Picture taken on January 9 .
An award-winning investigative team published a trove of files Sunday allegedly showing how Africa 's richest woman syphoned hundreds of millions of dollars of public money into offshore accounts .
The New York-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists ( ICIJ ) worked with newspapers such as Munich 's Suddeutsche Zeitung to reveal the `` Panama Papers '' tax haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called `` Luanda Leaks '' zeros in on Isabel dos Santos , the daughter of former Angola president Jose Eduardo dos Santos .
Angola 's prosecutors last month froze the bank accounts and assets owned by the 46-year-old businesswoman and her Congolese husband Sindika Dokolo , which she described as a groundless political vendetta .
`` Based on a trove of more than 715,000 files , our investigation highlights a broken international regulatory system that allows professional services firms to serve the powerful with almost no questions asked , '' the ICIJ wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 120 reporters in 20 countries was able to trace `` how an army of Western financial firms , lawyers , accountants , government officials and management companies helped ( dos Santos and Dokolo ) hide assets from tax authorities '' .
Dos Santos took to Twitter to refute the claims , launching a salvo of around 30 tweets in Portuguese and English , and accusing journalists involved in the investigation of telling `` lies '' .
`` My fortune is built on my character , my intelligence , education , capacity for work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She also blasted `` the racism and prejudice '' of SIC-Expresso , a Portuguese TV station and newspaper , and member of the ICIJ , `` that recall the colonial era when an African could never be considered equal to a European '' .
Dos Santos 's lawyer dismissed the ICIJ findings as a `` highly coordinated attack '' orchestrated by Angola 's current rulers , in a statement quoted by The Guardian newspaper .
Dos Santos herself told BBC Africa the file dump was part of a `` witch hunt '' meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The former president 's daughter headed Angola 's national oil company Sonangol .
Forbes magazine last year estimated her net worth at $ 2.2 billion .
Her father 's successor Joao Lourenco forced her out of the oil company after becoming president in 2017 .
Dos Santos said on Wednesday that she would consider running for president in the next election in 2022 .
The ICIJ investigation said Western consulting firms such as PwC and Boston Consulting Group were `` apparently ignoring red flags '' while helping her stash away public assets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ignored the key role Western professionals play in maintaining an offshore industry that drives money laundering and drains trillions from public coffers , '' the report said .
Its document trove included redacted letters allegedly showing how consultants sought out ways to open non-transparent bank accounts .
One confidential document allegedly drafted by Boston Consulting in September 2015 outlined a complex scheme for the oil company to move its money offshore .
The investigation also published a similar 99-page presentation from KPMG .
None of the companies named issued immediate statements in response @ @ @ @

An award-winning investigative team published a trove of files Sunday allegedly showing how Africa's richest woman syphoned hundreds of millions of dollars of public money into offshore accounts.
Isabel Dos Santos, daughter of Angola’s former President and Africa's richest woman, sits for a portrait during a Reuters interview in London, Britain, January 9, 2020. Picture taken on January 9.
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The New York-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) worked with newspapers such as Munich's Suddeutsche Zeitung to reveal the "Panama Papers" tax haven scandal in 2016.
Its latest series called "Luanda Leaks" zeros in on Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of former Angola president Jose Eduardo dos Santos.
Angola's prosecutors last month froze the bank accounts and assets owned by the 46-year-old businesswoman and her Congolese husband Sindika Dokolo, which she described as a groundless political vendetta.
"Based on a trove of more than 715,000 files, our investigation highlights a broken international regulatory system that allows professional services firms to serve the powerful with almost no questions asked," the ICIJ wrote.
The group said its team of 120 reporters in 20 countries was able to trace "how an army of Western financial firms, lawyers, accountants, government officials and management companies helped (dos Santos and Dokolo) hide assets from tax authorities".
Dos Santos took to Twitter to refute the claims, launching a salvo of around 30 tweets in Portuguese and English, and accusing journalists involved in the investigation of telling "lies".
"My fortune is built on my character, my intelligence, education, capacity for work, perseverance," she wrote.
She also blasted "the racism and prejudice" of SIC-Expresso, a Portuguese TV station and newspaper, and member of the ICIJ, "that recall the colonial era when an African could never be considered equal to a European".
Dos Santos's lawyer dismissed the ICIJ findings as a "highly coordinated attack" orchestrated by Angola's current rulers, in a statement quoted by The Guardian newspaper.
Dos Santos herself told BBC Africa the file dump was part of a "witch hunt" meant to discredit her and her father.
The former president's daughter headed Angola's national oil company Sonangol. Forbes magazine last year estimated her net worth at $2.2 billion.
Her father's successor Joao Lourenco forced her out of the oil company after becoming president in 2017.
Dos Santos said on Wednesday that she would consider running for president in the next election in 2022.
Western consultants
The ICIJ investigation said Western consulting firms such as PwC and Boston Consulting Group were "apparently ignoring red flags" while helping her stash away public assets.
"Regulators around the globe have virtually ignored the key role Western professionals play in maintaining an offshore industry that drives money laundering and drains trillions from public coffers," the report said.
Its document trove included redacted letters allegedly showing how consultants sought out ways to open non-transparent bank accounts.
One confidential document allegedly drafted by Boston Consulting in September 2015 outlined a complex scheme for the oil company to move its money offshore.
The investigation also published a similar 99-page presentation from KPMG.
None of the companies named issued immediate statements in response to the investigation.
(AFP)
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