Thousands take to Lebanon’s streets in third day of anti-government protests
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Tens of thousands took to the streets of Lebanon on Saturday for a third day of anti-government protests, directing growing rage at a political elite they blame for entrenched cronyism and driving the country to the economic brink.
In central Beirut, the mood was fiery and festive, with protesters of all ages waving flags and chanting for revolution outside upmarket retailers and banks that had their store fronts smashed in by rioters the night before.
From the south to the east and north of Lebanon, protesters marched and blocked roads to keep the momentum going despite gunmen loyal to the Shi’ite Amal Movement appearing with firearms to scare them away.
The latest unrest was sparked by 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 an attempt to appease demonstrators, Lebanon’s finance minister announced following a meeting with Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri that they had agreed on a final budget that did not include any additional taxes or fees.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun said in a tweet there would be a “reassuring solution” to the economic crisis.
The protests followed a buildup in grievances over perceived government corruption, mismanagement of funds and a failure to address high unemployment.
No leader, Christian or Muslim, was spared protesters’ ire, creating a rare unity in a country riven by sectarianism.
At night, patriotic songs blared from loudspeakers in Beirut and fireworks exploded over a sea of people dancing and singing, holding banners reading “unite against corrupt politicians.”
“This country is moving towards total collapse,” said Mohammad Awada, 32, who is unemployed. “This regime has failed to lead Lebanon and it must be toppled and replaced.”
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.
In a televised speech addressing the protests on Saturday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said the group was against the government resigning, and 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, whose Iranian-backed Shi’ite group is Lebanon’s most influential. “All of us have to shoulder the responsibility of the current situation that we arrived at.”
The protests that swept villages and towns across Lebanon recall the 2011 Arab revolts that toppled four presidents.
The Hezbollah leader said he recognized the protests were “honest and spontaneous” but
warned that his heavily-armed and powerful group, which backed the president’s rise to power, would not permit his downfall.
In southern Lebanon, Amal militiamen loyal to parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri attacked peaceful demonstrators who tore his posters and chanted slogans denouncing him as corrupt. They prevented TV crews from filming the protests.
In the speech, Nasrallah predicted that imposing more taxes would lead to an “explosion” of unrest.
“If we don’t work towards a solution we’re heading towards a collapse of the country, it will be bankrupt and our currency will not have any value,” he said. “The second danger is a popular explosion as a result of wrong handling of the situation.” •