Lebanese hold 'You Stink' rally against politicians

Tens of thousands of protesters from across Lebanon flocked to a mass rally yesterday in downtown Beirut against a political class accused of corruption and failing to provide basic services.

Waving Lebanese flags, men, women and children gathered at the iconic Martyrs Square.

"Today, we're expecting more than 50,000 protesters," said Assaad Thebian of the "You Stink" organising campaign, which has stressed the non-partisan nature of the show of contempt for Lebanon's leaders.

The crowd carried banners bearing blunt messages.

"Ali Baba and the 128 thieves," read one, referring to parliament speaker Nabih Berri and the 128-member house.

The "You Stink" campaign began in response to a trash crisis that started with the closure of Lebanon's largest landfill in mid-July, resulting in garbage piling up on the streets of Beirut and beyond. Since then there have been small protests which have broadened to include demands for a political overhaul of government institutions seen as corrupt and ineffective by many Lebanese.