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The series of major road closures in Lebanon continued on Tuesday, but with less momentum than on Monday. The protesters closed several roads, especially in and around the north of the country, Tripoli, as well as in eastern Bekaa, while no major roads were closed in the capital, Beirut. With the Lebanese pound’s record low against the dollar hitting 11,000 on the black market, protest movements intensified in the country amid road closures with burning tires.
Dozens of Lebanese protesters, on Tuesday morning, imposed a new closureCut roads to Various areas From the country, but with less dynamism than the previous day, when the main streets were closed for the whole day, in protest at the continuous deterioration of the value of the lira and the political stagnation in the country. Angry protesters closed several roads in the north of the country, especially in Tripoli, and in the Bekaa, in the east.
The military and security forces opened several main roads, while the cutting of the two highways leading to Beirut from the north and south caused a suffocating traffic jam. No major roads were closed in Beirut, unlike Monday, when the movement began to close most entrances to the capital.
The road blocking movement intensified in recent days after the lira hit an all-time low since Lebanon entered the cycle of economic collapse a year and a half ago. The exchange rate against the dollar approached the threshold of 11 thousand on the black market.
On Monday, roads continued to be closed throughout the day under various slogans, including “the day of anger.” The army worked to open some of them, but protesters closed others.
Protesters cut roads with smoking tires and debris, or put their cars in the middle of the road.
On Monday, President Michel Aoun considered, after presiding over an economic security meeting, that “blocking roads is unacceptable”, calling it sabotage.
However, during the last days there were no clashes between the security forces and the military and the protesters, unlike previous movements in the country.
In some areas, supporters of some parties participate in movements on the ground. Authority officials accuse rival parties of being behind the protests.
Since the summer of 2019, Lebanon has been experiencing its worst economic crisis, which has led to the currency losing more than eighty percent of its value, exacerbating inflation rates and causing tens of thousands to lose their jobs and sources of income.
Despite the weight of the economic crisis, political efforts and international pressure did not lead to the formation of a new government. Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri exchange accusations of obstruction and establishment of counter-conditions.
France 24 / AFP
