Lebanese protest economic crisis

BEIRUT — Lebanese protesters took to the streets in Beirut and other cities Saturday in mostly peaceful protests against the government, calling for its resignation as the small country sinks deeper into economic distress.

The protests come after two days of rallies spurred by a collapse of the local currency against the dollar. Those rallies degenerated into violence, including attacks on private banks and shops.

The currency, pegged to the dollar for nearly 30 years, has been on a downward trajectory for weeks, losing more than 60% of its value. But the collapse this week deepened public despair over the already troubled economy. Lebanon is heavily dependent on imports, and the dollar and local currency have been used interchangeably for years.

The economic and financial crises are proving a major challenge to the government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who took office this year after his predecessor resigned amid nationwide protests. Diab was soon faced with handling the coronavirus pandemic, which put the country in lockdown for months, further compounding the crisis.

Diab’s government is supported by the powerful militant group Hezbollah and its allies, but has already been weakened by the economic crisis.

In a speech Saturday, Diab urged the public to be patient, saying there were a great many political hurdles, including from rivals he said sought to undermine his government.

For the protesters Saturday, many of them members of organized political parties, Diab’s government has failed to handle the crisis.

Neemat Badreddin, a political activist, described the government as captive to the interests of political groups and not the public.

“This current government proved to be a failure,” said Badreddin, wearing a mask featuring the Lebanese flag with its green cedar tree in the center. “We want a new government … we want stability and we want to be able to live without begging or without people having to migrate.”