BEIRUT, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of people gathered Monday in Nijmeh square in capital Beirut's downtown to celebrate the New Year's Eve.
"Beirut Celebrates 2019" kicked off Monday afternoon and continued until after midnight, featuring 11 singers and over 150 other performers.
People expressed their joy about celebrations that gathered Lebanese from all areas while calling upon politicians to be more conscious about people's interests and needs in 2019.
"The Lebanese need peace of mind. I ask politicians to be more conscious about people's needs this coming year especially when it comes to securing jobs for our unemployed youths who are traveling and leaving their country," a Lebanese woman told Xinhua.
A man attending the celebrations expressed his happiness at how Lebanese from all over the country are gathered to celebrate this special occasion.
"As you can see, Lebanese from all sects gathered here today which reflects the spirit of unity among people in the country. This is Lebanon," he told Xinhua.
Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri later joined the event.
Throughout the day, the Internal Security Forces had deployed some 13,000 security personnel, set up checkpoints and boosted its patrols near major highways.
