Beirut, Lebanon – Lebanese police pushed back protesters with clubs and sticks, and arrested dozens of people in downtown Beirut on Wednesday – the latest confrontations this city has seen over the country’s summer trash crisis.

A second session of national dialogue, bringing together the country’s politicians from across the divide, got underway in an effort to reach an agreement on key issues that have brought the country to a standstill. 

Protesters from the “You Stink” citizens’ group said that 40 people had been detained and several others were injured on Wednesday afternoon as police rushed the crowd, beating several people with batons.

“You Stink”, along with thousands of other Lebanese citizens in recent week, has been protesting against government corruption and political dysfunction amid a rubbish collection crisis.