Lebanese take to the streets to protest tax increases and corruption

Lebanese demonstrators wave national flags as they take part in a protest in the capital Beirut, outside the Mohammad al-Amin mosque in the downtown district's Martyr's Square on October 19, 2019. - Tens of thousands of Lebanese people took to the streets today for a third day of protests against tax increases and alleged official corruption despite several arrests by security forces. (Photo by Patrick BAZ / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK BAZ/AFP via Getty Images) ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

Lebanese demonstrators wave national flags in Beirut. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest tax increases and corruption. (Patrick Baz /AFP/Getty Images)

Oct. 21, 2019 8:29 AM PT

A Lebanese protester offers sweets during ongoing demonstrations. Demands include the ouster of politicians who have been in office for decades. (Joseph Eid /AFP/Getty Images)

A Lebanese girl passes out flowers to soldiers during the third day of protests in downtown Beirut. (Anwar Amro /AFP/Getty Images)

Anti-government protesters wave a Lebanese flag as they stand on the Dome City Center known as “The Egg.” (Hussein Malla/Associated Press)

Protesters in Beirut shout slogans against the Lebanese government. (Hassan Ammar/Associated Press)

Demonstrators rest in front of a makeshift barricade set up on a main road in the area of Jal el-Dib, north of the capital Beirut. (Ibrahim Amro /AFP/Getty Images)

An anti-government protester waves the Lebanese flag on the roof of the opera building. (Hussein Malla/Associated Press)

Kids play ball in front of a makeshift barricade north of Beirut. (Ibrahim Amro /AFP via Getty Images)

Demonstrators shout anti-government slogans. Lebanon’s Cabinet on Monday approved sweeping reforms it hoped would appease protesters. (Hassan Ammar/Associated Press)