Expecting Saad Hariri to be named Prime Minister yet again, a large group of demonstrators tries to make their way to Nejmeh Square in downtown Beirut. They are met with violence by Lebanese internal security forces deploying tear gas and rubber bullets. Lebanese Red Cross and Lebanese Civil Defence count at least 46 people were injured and taken to hospitals. After losing the backing by the main Christian Parties in parliament and being met with continuous opposition in the ongoing protest movement, former PM Saad Hariri announces that he will not be a candidate to form the next government as Prime Minister. A parliamentary session on 19 December concludes with naming “University professor” Hassan Diab to succeed as Prime Minister. In response to the announcement, protests culminate on 22 December with thousands taking to Martyrs' Square in Beirut. Protesters consider Diab, who is backed by Hezbollah and its allies but not by the main Sunni groups, as a member of the ruling elite and therefore reject him as a candidate.