Anger on the streets
Hundreds of demonstrators blocked main roads across Lebanon yesterday as protests over worsening economic conditions and record low currency levels entered a seventh day.
Protests were fuelled by the Lebanese pound reaching a new low of 10,000 to the US dollar last Tuesday, days after the government eased coronavirus restrictions.
President Michel Aoun blamed the recent fall in the currency rate on speculators and parties seeking to undermine Lebanon’s security.
The Lebanese pound has lost more than 80 per cent of its value since late 2019 as the country struggled to contain a financial crisis.
During a meeting with caretaker prime minister Hassan Diab, members of his Cabinet and the country’s senior security officers, Mr Aoun ordered the army to reopen blocked roads.
Hours later, the army had not moved to reopen the roads.
Addressing senior military officers at a separate meeting, Gen Joseph Aoun, commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, said the country was reeling under the burden of an economic crisis that had eroded the purchasing power of the people and army personnel.
Gen Aoun said the military was supportive of freedom of expression but would protect stability and confront any acts of vandalism.
“Where are we headed, what are your plans?” he asked, addressing Lebanese officials, according to a statement released by the army.
The president has been the target of sharp criticism from protesters who have taken to the streets to demand change.
They burnt tyres, rubbish bins and cars to shut down the main roads leading into and out of the capital, Beirut, since the early morning, as well as key roads in the Bekaa region and in south and north Lebanon.
Mr Diab threatened on Sunday to stop performing his duties to pressure politicians leaders to form a new government.
The failure to form a Cabinet has blocked the introduction of key reforms that the international community is demanding before providing Lebanon with financial aid.