Lebanon protests continue, parliament speaker warns

Protests continued in Lebanon for the 33rd consecutive day demanding the formation of a government to rescue and address the economic situation. As security forces reopened most of the roads blocked by protesters, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri warned of Lebanon's severe economic and political crisis.

On Monday morning, protesters blocked the Halba highway with iron barriers and non-burning tires.

The ship is sinking
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was quoted as saying Monday that Lebanon is like a ship that will sink if action is not taken, referring to the country's severe economic and political crisis.

The newspaper quoted Berri as saying that "the country is like a ship sinking little by little, if we do not take the necessary measures will sink the whole."

The protest squares in Beirut, Tripoli, Minya, Sidon and Nabatieh have witnessed on Sunday rallies of protesters demanding the formation of a government to rescue and hold early parliamentary elections and activate the judiciary, in order to hold accountable those accused of corruption.

Schools and universities opened on Monday in most areas of Lebanon, as well as shops and public and private institutions, while banks remained closed in line with the strike announced by the Executive Council of the Union of Bank Employees Syndicates in Lebanon to demand the protection of employees and customers.

Banking measures
This comes as the Directorate General of Internal Security Forces announced a series of measures to ensure the safety of users and customers in the banking sector. The Federation Council will announce a decision to resume work after its meeting today with the Board of Directors of the Association of Banks in Lebanon.

The Association of Banks in Lebanon has announced temporary banking measures in the banks, most notably limiting the amount of cash withdrawn per week at a maximum rate of $ 1,000 for current account holders in dollars.

The association said that remittances are only to cover urgent personal expenses, stressing that there are no restrictions on new funds transferred from abroad, nor restrictions on the handling of checks, transfers and the use of credit cards within Lebanon.

The association called on bank customers to prefer using credit cards, especially in Lebanese pounds.

Protesters are demanding the formation of a technocratic government, holding early parliamentary elections, lowering the voting age to 18, addressing economic conditions, recovering looted funds and holding corrupt people accountable.

Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced the resignation of his cabinet on October 29, "in response to the will of many Lebanese who took to the streets to demand change and a commitment to the need to provide a safety net that protects the country at this historic moment," after 13 days of protests. Popular.

President Michel Aoun has not yet called for the start of binding parliamentary consultations to name a prime minister.