Lebanese protesters burn and smash the facades of banks in Tripoli

A number of young protesters burned and smashed the facades of several bank branches in the northern city of Tripoli’s el-Tal area, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA).

 

The agency added that the Lebanese army units  rushed to the scene and fired tear gas to disperse the protesters and restore the situation to normal.

 

In another development, The Lebanese army command expressed via Twitter its deepest regret over the fall of a martyr during yesterday’s protests, expressing its sincere condolences to the martyr’s family, and confirming that it has opened an investigation into this incident.

 

The army command reaffirmed its respect for the right of freedom of expression, provided that the protest move does not  take a sabotage course that harms public and private institutions, calling on citizens to adhere to security measures.

 

A collapse in the Lebanese pound and soaring inflation and unemployment are compounding hardship in Lebanon, which has been in deep financial crisis since October. A shutdown to curb the spread of the new coronavirus has exacerbated economic woes.

 

Basma Qaddour