A group of Lebanese activists have clashed with Lebanese police who sprayed them with water cannons in downtown Beirut over the country's mounting trash crisis.

Garbage has been accumulating on the streets in Lebanon for the past month amid government paralysis and inability to agree on a solution after Beirut's main landfill was closed down.

Around 100 activists gathered outside the government building Wednesday night, shouting anti-government slogans. Some tried to break the security cordon, leading to clashes with the police.

Lebanon's health minister has said the country is on the brink of a "major health disaster" unless an immediate solution is found for its trash problem.

Political disputes have blocked the government from making any major decisions, including agreeing on alternative ways of dealing with the garbage crisis.

AP