Lebanese protesters close a number of roads and storm official buildings and banks

Beirut, (ST) – Sit-ins and the closure of public roads renewed in a number of Lebanese regions in protest against the deteriorating living and economic conditions.

The Lebanese National News Agency said that “a number of protesters gathered in front of the Tripoli Brigades in northern Lebanon and threw stones at it and threw incendiary materials at the iron door of its entrance and set it on fire, while some of them tried to break the door.”

A number of protesters in the capital of the North closed shops by force and tried to enter the external yard of the Bank of Lebanon, Tripoli branch, after they took off the iron gate and crossed the obstacles.Meanwhile the army prevented the protesters from closing the highway with waste containers and stones at the Corniche of the sea port in both directions in Tripoli and reopened Several roads in front of traffic.

The traffic control room indicated that, there was no  traffic from the gondolas towards the Kuwaiti embassy in Beirut ,Al-Shouhada (Martyrs) Square and the Al-Jamous neighborhood road in the southern suburb.The army worked to reopen it.

In Bekaa, the protesters closed the Taalbaya road in both directions, Saadnayel, the high Jdeita junction, Perlias Al-Marj, Chtoura Square, the Al-ZahraniHighway, the Siksakieh junction, and closed the international road in the locality of Sha`at, drawing the event in the northern Bekaa.

Protesters also closed a number of roads in the cities of Tire, Sidon, Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon, and Zahlein the east protesting against the economic situation.

The protesters in Sidon tried to storm the branch of the Banque du Liban, opened its main gate, entered its inner courtyard, and threw stones at its iron doors. The security forces confronted them, which led to the deaths of three wounded in the confrontations.

Since October 17, 2019, many Lebanese regions have witnessed demonstrations and sit-ins in protest against the deteriorating living and economic conditions. They also demanded that the corrupt be brought to justice. 

Haifa Mafalani