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Three months after the protests started, Lebanon - the third most indebted country in the world - is in the grip of an unprecedented economic crisis. In a few weeks, the local currency lost almost 40% of its value and to avoid the catastrophe the banks limit withdrawals in dollars - the other currency of the country - A measure which only fuels the anger of the Lebanese.
With our correspondent in Beirut, Chloé Domat
You have to get up early to find dollars. The vending machines are empty and at the counter, the green tickets come out in a dropper, also from the early morning, there are already dozens lining up in front of the banks.
“ I came at 7:30 am to get a number, explains Georgette, it's number 9. I have to wait until my turn comes. And sometimes when your turn arrives, like yesterday when I had the number, we tell you: 'Madam, there are no more dollars' ”.
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Tony waited 2 hours for 100 dollars. It is the only withdrawal the bank is giving him this week. “ I reduced my expenses by 60 - 70%. Instead of shopping every week, we go there once every two weeks. We still manage to manage, but I don't know until when ... ”
Inside, people are piled up and exasperated. To avoid overflows, the waiting room is monitored by a police officer. " It is all the more unfair that there is a capital flight abroad, politicians, people who stole public money - people know that - this is one of the main causes of the revolution is being able to establish a certain social justice ”, regrets another client.
Banks have imposed severe restrictions on their depositors. In Lebanon, the dollar is used in the same way as the national currency and withdrawals are now limited to around a thousand dollars per month. The demonstrators accuse their leaders and the banks of having ruined the country. On Tuesday evening, clashes broke out outside the headquarters of the Central Bank and banks were vandalized. Other gatherings are expected this weekend.