The challenge does not weaken in Lebanon. New clashes between Tuesday, April 28 in Tripoli, the capital of the north of the country, the army to protesters denouncing rampant inflation and unprecedented depreciation of the national currency.

After a few hours of calm, protesters took to the streets again in the late evening, raising fears of further violence marked last night by the death of a 26-year-old protester, shot dead by the army.

Demonstrations took place in several parts of the city, including the al-Mina district, where protesters damaged the facade of a bank. Another rally was held outside the home of a former prime minister, Nagib Mikati.

Four protesters hospitalized

More than 20 protesters were injured in the nightly clashes, including four hospitalized, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. The day before, in addition to the demonstrator killed, about twenty civilians were injured as well as 40 soldiers, according to the army.

In Beirut, a hundred demonstrators marched through the Hamra district, where the headquarters of the Central Bank is located, chanting slogans against its governor. In Saida (south), protesters threw Molotov cocktails at the local branch of the Central Bank.

During the day, Tripoli, the second city of the country, was the scene of violence. Hundreds of young people ransacked and burned half a dozen banks, tore up the pavements of the sidewalks to throw them at the army and burned two military vehicles. They were dispersed with tear gas and rubber bullets.

"Inevitable explosion"

Faced with the unprecedented economic crisis since the end of the civil war (1975-1990) and despite the restrictions imposed on the new coronavirus, popular mobilization - started initially last fall - resumed a few days ago against the government accused of corruption and incompetence. Several banks have been vandalized across the country.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab acknowledged "a worsening at a record speed of the social crisis", ensuring "to understand the cry of the people", but also rejected "all vandalism", at a government meeting. At the same time, he denounced "malicious intentions behind the scenes". His Minister of Economy, Raoul Nehmé, reported a 55% increase in prices without specifying the corresponding period. The government says it is working on an economic recovery plan that has still not been finalized.

"So far, the government has done nothing, except suspend the payment of Eurobonds," economist Sami Nader told AFP, referring to the first default in the history of the country, announced in March. According to him, the country is heading "towards an inevitable social explosion, with a currency having lost almost 200% of its value, and a sharp drop in purchasing power".

With AFP

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