Protests intensify after ultimatum Lebanon
Lebanese protesters demanding the resignation of corrupt officials have clashed with security forces across the country, after Lebanon’s prime minister set a 72-hour deadline for the government to settle on measures aimed at addressing a mounting economic crisis.
With protests erupting for a second day, Prime Minister Saad Hariri accused other government officials of obstructing him, stalling his efforts to tackle the country’s problems.
‘‘Whatever the solution is, we do not have any time left,’’ he said in a televised speech yesterday. ‘‘Either our partners in the country give an honest answer on the solution, or I will have something else to say.’’ There has been widespread speculation that Hariri could resign.
Protesters took to Beirut’s streets initially, and by late in the day were demonstrating in every major city in Lebanon.
They are demanding action to address their everyday hardships – including the rising prices of wheat and gas, and a lack of clean water and clean air – in addition to condemning widespread corruption within the government, which has been dominated by the same families for decades.
The protesters blocked main roads throughout the capital, as well as the main airport highway. One traveller said people were being transported to the airport by Lebanese army trucks.
Security forces fired tear gas into the crowds in Beirut. The demonstrators withdrew and then charged the security forces in repeated waves. Riot police made multiple arrests.
One protester, Wael, 24, said his mother had to leave the country every four months to treat her cancer, because there was no affordable medical treatment in Lebanon.
Hariri said that although the people had given the government many chances over the past three years, complacency and internal politics continued to stymie efforts to solve Lebanon’s economic problems. But he did not offer any solutions.