Protesters burn banks as poverty rises
Banks in the Lebanese city of Tripoli have been torched as furious antigovernment protesters have defied coronavirus lockdown laws to demonstrate against the spiralling economic crisis.
Lebanon has only 25 recorded deaths from the disease, but the enforced shuttering of much of the economy has worsened its already dire financial situation. Lebanon’s social affairs minister says 75 per cent of people are in need of aid, while the World Food Programme recorded a 40.1 per cent increase in the price of eight basic food commodities between September 2019 and March 2020.
The rapidly-worsening situation saw street protests revive in Tripoli, one of the poorest areas of the country in defiance of lockdown orders.
Protests against corruption and declining living standards began last October when the impact of the economic crisis was first felt.
Tripoli, a city that had gained a reputation for violence and religious extremism, became known as the ‘‘bride of the revolution’’ for its vibrant, largely peaceful protests.
Lockdown measures put in place to contain the spread of Covid-19 appeared to have put the protests on ice.
However, protesters have ignored social distancing measures and calls to stay home to rally outside the central bank and private banks, setting off clashes with the security forces and the army.
A 26-year-old man died last Tuesday morning after sustaining gunshot wounds in clashes with the army.
Hassan Diab, the prime minister, on Friday signed a request for IMF assistance, calling it a ‘‘historic moment in the history of Lebanon.’’ The rescue plan, however, was criticised by the Association of Lebanese Banks, an influential body given Lebanese banks hold much of the country’s debt.
A convoy of protesters drove up from the capital Beirut to show support to their northern neighbours.
– Telegraph Group