Demonstrators fill Lebanon’s streets in third day of fiery protests
“This country is moving toward total collapse. This regime has failed to lead Lebanon and it must be toppled and replaced,” said Mohammad Awada, 32, who is unemployed. “We no longer feel we have a state. This state tramples on all institutions.”
Prime Minister Saad al-hariri gave his government partners a 72-hour deadline on Friday to agree on reforms that could ward off economic crisis, hinting he may otherwise resign.
The latest unrest erupted out of anger over the rising cost of living and new tax plans, including a fee on Whatsapp calls, which was quickly retracted after protests – the biggest in decades – broke out.
In a televised speech addressing the protests on Saturday, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the group opposed the government’s resignation, and that the country did not have enough time for such a move given the acute financial crisis.
“Everyone should take responsibility rather than being preoccupied with settling political scores while leaving the fate of the country unknown,” said Nasrallah, adding that Lebanon could face “financial collapse.”
“All of us have to shoulder the responsibility of the current situation that we arrived at in Lebanon. Everyone should take part in finding a solution,” added Nasrallah, whose group is Lebanon’s most influential.
In the speech, Nasrallah predicted that imposing more taxes would lead to an “explosion” of unrest.
The government, which includes nearly all Lebanon’s main parties, has pledged no new taxes as it seeks to finalize a 2020 budget.
The budget could help it unlock billions of dollars pledged by international donors who have conditioned their support on long-delayed reforms to curb waste and corruption.
On Friday, riot police in vehicles and on foot rounded up protesters, firing rubber bullets and tear gas canisters to disperse riots in Beirut that grew violent as the night wore on, leaving streets strewn with glass and burning debris.
Lebanon’s internal security apparatus said 52 police were injured on Friday and its forces arrested 70 people.