Footage shows her screaming and cowering for cover as she is attacked
Came as police fired tear gas and water cannon on second day of violence
At least 240 people and 30 officers hurt in riots over 'corrupt' government
A female reporter was attacked by protesters on live TV during the anti-government demonstrations in Lebanon.
The correspondent for Lebanese channel LBC TV was giving a live broadcast in the middle of the riots when she was surrounded by a mob.
Dramatic footage shows her screaming and cowering for cover as she is assaulted by the crowd who tear at her clothes.
It came as riot police fired tear gas and water cannon for the second consecutive day in Beirut as they battled protesters with batons in clashes that wounded at least 240 people and 30 officers.
Reporter attacked during live report in the middle of riot
In the thick of it: A female reporter presents a live broadcast from the middle of the Lebanese riots shortly being attacked a mob of protesters
Terrifying: Dramatic footage shows the reporter screaming and cowering for cover as she is assaulted by the crowd who tear at her clothes
The violence came hours after Prime Minister Tammam Salam hinted he might step down following violent protests on Saturday that injured more than 100 people.
The demonstrations, the largest in years to shake Lebanon, seek to upend what protesters see as a corrupt and dysfunctional political system that has no functional Cabinet or parliament, nor a president for more than a year.
Protest organisers said they pulled their supporters out of the area after men they described as political thugs began fighting with police, trying to tear down a barbed wire fence separating the crowds from the Lebanese government building.
Organisers of the 'You Stink!' protests later said they were postponing demonstrations set for Monday evening, saying they would hold a news conference later to explain their decision.
Flashpoint: Tear gas canisters are fired by police, not seen, against protesters, pictured in the background, during demonstrations against a rubbish collection crisis, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, late Sunday
Lebanese protesters kick tear gas canisters during anti-government demonstrations in downtown Beirut
Lebanese riot police gather around an anti-government protester, centre on the ground, who fainted from the smell of the tear gas canisters during a protest against an ongoing trash crisis in downtown Beirut, Lebanon
Gunfire could be heard in the capital's commercial district into the night as police fired in the air to disperse those who remained after officers used tear gas and water cannons against the crowds.
Lebanese Red Cross spokesman George Kattaneh told Hezbollah's Al-Manar television channel that the violence wounded 44 people who required hospital care, while some 200 others received medical treatment on the spot.
A police statement said protesters wounded 30 police officers, one of whom was seriously hurt.
The chaos continued into the night as police battled masked youths who set up barricades in Beirut's downtown and near the blue-domed Mohammad al-Amin Mosque in Martyrs' Square.
A few remaining protesters set tyres ablaze there, with some even pulling down trees and throwing them into the fire.
Armored vehicles deployed against protestors in Beirut
Lebanese army patrol a street in downtown Beirut. Riot police battled for a second night Sunday after demonstrators rallied over government corruption and an ongoing trash crisis. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon for the second consecutive day in Beirut as they battled protesters with batons in clashes that wounded at least 240 people and 30 officers
Thick, black smoke drifted over the capital. Others damaged traffic lights and other public property.
At first, the protest began peacefully, with thousands angered over Lebanon's political deadlock protesting.
The demonstrators take root in the garbage piling up on the streets after the capital's main landfill was closed a month ago.
The 'You Stink!' campaign and other civil society groups organised the rallies, calling on Lebanese to join them in a revolt against political corruption.
'We are ruled by corrupt losers! All of them – warlords, legislators and ministers – are working for their own interest and not those of the people,' said Nada Qadoura, a retired woman who took part in Sunday's protest along with two of her friends.
'The will of the people will eventually succeed no matter how long it takes.'
A Lebanese riot policeman, left, fires rubber bullets against anti-government protesters in downtown Beirut
On the frontline: The demonstrations seek to upend what protesters see as a corrupt and dysfunctional political system that has no functional Cabinet or parliament nor a president for more than a year
The clashes broke out shortly before sunset when angry protesters tried to break through barbed wire in Riad Solh Square leading to the government's headquarters.
Police beat back protesters with clubs and water cannons, occasionally hurling stones at protesters who threw rocks and water bottles.
Later Sunday evening, protesters broke through the first barbed wire after intense clashes with security forces.
When the protesters got closer to the government headquarters, police fired tear gas, forcing thousands to flee.
The protesters set a police motorcycle ablaze. Some protesters carrying clubs also attacked police vehicles, hurling stones and bottles at them.
'Shabiha!' the protesters would shout, an Arabic term often used to refer to thugs.
Security forces use tear gas and water cannon on protesters
Riots: Lebanese anti-government protesters run as they throw stones against riot police, not seen
A Lebanese anti-government protester lies on the ground after he was beaten by the riot police officers
At least four men were seen being led away by security forces, their hand tied behind their backs.
Sunday's protest was larger than the previous day's, with some local television stations saying about 20,000 people participated.
Protesters now are demanding that the country's top politicians resign, saying they are not fit to rule to country.
Salam, Lebanon's prime minister, said in a news conference earlier Sunday that if this Thursday's Cabinet meeting is not productive, 'then there is no need for the council of ministers.'
Lebanon has a sectarian power-sharing system that ensures equal representation between the country's main religious sects.
The arrangement often leads to complete paralysis, though Lebanon has been relatively calm amid regional instability.
A resignation by Salam would risk plunging the country into further chaos.
Lebanon managed to survive the Arab Spring uprisings that toppled Arab dictators, the onslaught by the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq and the fallout from 1.2 million Syrian refugees now straining its economy.
But political disputes have kept the country without a president for more than a year.
Parliament has extended its own term twice and has not convened because lawmakers differ on whether they can continue working before voting for a president.
That deadlock led to the trash crisis, which has some residents burning trash on the streets, sending toxic fumes over the city's skyline and into homes.
Lebanon's health minister has warned of a coming environmental catastrophe as some have started dumping trash in valleys, rivers and near the sea.
The Mail
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