Report

Lebanon: new demonstration in front of the Central Bank in Beirut

Audio 01:16

A protester throws fireworks at the Lebanese Central Bank building in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, March 24, 2023. © Hassan Ammar / AP

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2 min

In Lebanon, the economic plunge seems endless, but society is no longer mobilizing. Several demonstrations this week have created surprise. On Wednesday, March 22, former soldiers, whose retirement is no longer worth anything, met in the city center. And on Thursday, March 23, several dozen depositors shouted their anger in front of the Central Bank.

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With our correspondent in Beirut, Laure Stephan

The crowd is small, but the total anger in front of the central bank of Lebanon: against the institution, against the banks, against the politicians who are linked to them.

Seniors are numerous, like Maurice Srour, 80, dreams of a golden retirement behind him. "I worked 55 years in my life, 10 or 15 years abroad, I raised money and it's to live, continue my retirement, but they took everything. I tell you the truth, it's that my brothers are abroad and they send me money from time to time, that's the only thing that keeps me alive," says Maurice Srour.

After throwing firecrackers at the Central Bank, protesters stoned the metal partitions of a bank. Police officers watch without intervening, almost fraternal, their salaries are no longer worth anything.

« They are a mafia, they are thieves »

Hanane Al-Sayed, mother, spray in hand, has just tagged "thieves" on the wall. "It's been four years since we, the people of the collective "Cri des déposants" took to the streets, that we talk, that we shout, that we demand. We go to the banks, but they do not answer us. They are a mafia, they are thieves. The bankers have taken out their money, and they keep ours," said Hanane Al-Sayed.

No one in the crowd believes in a close solution, but there is a will: not to resign oneself.

► READ ALSO: Economic crisis in Lebanon: the country is experiencing a "very dangerous moment", warns the IMF

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• Lebanon
• Economy
• Society