A Lebanese demonstrator protests in front of the house of newly-appointed Prime Minister Hassan Diab in Beirut, Lebanon, on Jan. 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

At least 70 people were injured in protests in Lebanon's capital Beirut which have been escalated due to officials' failure to form a cabinet of independent ministers capable of dealing with the country's crises.

BEIRUT, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Clashes between protesters and riot police continued on Sunday evening in Lebanon's capital Beirut, leaving 70 injured, the LBCI local TV channel reported.

Among the injured, 30 people were transported by the Lebanese Red Cross to nearby hospitals, said the report.

Protesters attempted to break into the parliament by throwing stones at security forces who used water cannons to disperse demonstrators.

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Sunday called for an urgent security meeting to be held on Monday with defense and interior ministers and security agencies to discuss the latest developments in the country.

Heavy clashes had started a day earlier due to the failure of the ruling political class to adopt quick measures to save the deteriorating economy prevailing in the country.

Saturday's clashes caused a total of 169 injuries, according to the Lebanese Red Cross.

Protests have escalated in the past few days due to officials' failure to form a cabinet of independent ministers capable of dealing with the country's different crises.

Nationwide protests started in Lebanon on Oct. 17, 2019 and they succeeded to topple the government of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and led to the appointment of Hassan Diab as the new prime minister. ■