Protesters in Tripoli, Lebanon on April 17, 2020. - AFP

There were further clashes between the army and demonstrators on Tuesday in Tripoli, the capital of northern Lebanon, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. The latter denounce galloping inflation and an unprecedented depreciation of the national currency. After a few hours of calm, protesters took to the streets again at the end of the 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. 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.

Ransacked banks

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.

"People cry"

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 "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 economic crisis was the main catalyst in October 2019 of an unprecedented uprising against a political class unchanged for decades and accused of corruption and incompetence. It has been amplified with the ban by banks on all transfers abroad and the introduction of draconian restrictions on dollar withdrawals, which were completely suspended in March. The situation has worsened with preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus, which have paralyzed a country where 717 cases are officially registered, including 24 deaths. In Lebanon, around 45% of the population now lives below the poverty line, according to official estimates.

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