Demonstrators block major roads in Lebanon due to the economic crisis

Demonstrators blocked main roads in several regions of Lebanon today, Thursday, the third day of protests fueled by anger over the country's economic crisis.

The protests began on Tuesday after the currency plunged to a new record, adding to the anger of long-worried citizens over the financial meltdown.

Lebanon's financial crisis, which erupted in 2019, toppled jobs, increased concern over rising hunger and prevented depositors from accessing their money in banks.

Protesters burned tires this evening, Thursday, to block the roads leading to the exit from Beirut in Jal el Dib and Furn El Shabak.

The main road in the Zouk area, north of the capital, was also closed, as tensions erupted at times between drivers wanting to cross and the demonstrators.

Last year, Lebanon witnessed a popular uprising against political leaders, the bankruptcy of the state and the banking sector, and the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in August a huge explosion occurred that killed 200 people and destroyed parts of Beirut.

The collapse of the Lebanese pound, which on Tuesday plunged to 10,000 pounds against the dollar, was the last straw for many, who have seen the prices of consumer goods such as diapers and pills rise nearly three-fold since the start of the crisis.

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