Protesters poured into streets across Lebanon, blocking several roads yesterday, despite the army's efforts to reopen the roads. The participants consulted on measures to facilitate the freedom of movement of citizens on vital roads and to preserve the security and safety of demonstrators.
The Lebanese army said yesterday that it fired shots in the air in the Beddawi area in the north of the country, following a clash between a group of protesters on a road, and a number of citizens who tried to cross the road with their cars. The force then fired tear gas to disperse the citizens, and was later forced to fire in the air and rubber bullets, where a number of citizens were injured. To pain Prime Minister Saad Hariri asked Lebanese Army Commander Joseph Aoun to investigate the incident.
The Association of Banks in Lebanon said banks would remain closed until normal life returned, and salaries would be paid through ATMs.
The Association of Banks in Lebanon has held crisis meetings in the past few days in search of a way to reopen banks, amid mounting fears that a stampede by depositors could squander its already limited foreign exchange deposits. Lebanese sources said that the forces participating in the government do not see the need for an amendment soon.