A massive anti-government demonstration is taking place in front of the Lebanese Banking Association building in central Beirut.
Representatives of the left movements and trade unions gathered at the association building. Citizens shouted slogans calling for a change of government, reform, and the rescue of the Lebanese pound.
To maintain order, the building and the surrounding area are surrounded by cordons of soldiers of the internal troops and the army. The demonstration takes place peacefully, without clashes and provocations.
“Today I am participating in a demonstration with my compatriots at an association of banks, which for everyone is an endless cave where all the money of workers, all confessions and religions disappear… We are in a very stifling crisis. Our Communist Party decided to confront the corrupt government by going to streets and upholding the rights of the population”, – told Ahmad Dager, a demonstrator.
A group of activists from the Communist Party of Lebanon on Friday occupied the building of the workers’ union in Beirut, where it called on the population to oppose the economic and financial policies of the state.
Due to the difficult economic situation in the country, mass demonstrations were regularly held in Beirut and other major cities of Lebanon against the background of the adoption of a new state budget for 2019 from the end of April to the beginning of June. Labor unions and retired military personnel announced open strikes in connection with the government’s intentions to reduce civil servants in the new budget.
The economic and financial situation in Lebanon continues to be in crisis, according to the words of local politicians and experts. President Michelle Aung said Thursday that the state is suffering from financial blockade and sanctions.
There is a shortage of currency in the banking sector. The issuance of dollars is limited and the percentage of the commission for issuing foreign currency in cash is increased, which led to difficulties both among entrepreneurs who make payments in dollars and among ordinary residents. The shortage has already affected owners of fueling stations, flour mills and pharmaceutical companies.
The Lebanese government at the same time stated that measures to stabilize the financial situation are being taken. The Central Bank, in turn, announced a fixed value of the Lebanese pound against the dollar and the development of a mechanism to support the work of gas station owners in order to avoid a fuel crisis in the country.