The situation in Beirut has completely normalized after the night pogroms and demonstrations.
On Wednesday night, demonstrators blocked the main roads of the Lebanese capital. In front of the Sakanat Helu Police Department near the Russian Embassy, the demonstration turned into pogroms and violent clashes with law enforcement officers. Demonstrators demanded the release of the activists detained on Tuesday, after which they began throwing stones and firecrackers at the police. The security forces used tear gas. Several grenades exploded on the territory of the Russian diplomatic mission. No one was injured among diplomats.
At the moment, all roads are unblocked, the only reminders of the night pogroms are the traces of burned tires at the intersections.
Despite broken showcases and ATMs, bank branches were opened on schedule.
On Tuesday, activists all over the country took to the streets again and blocked them. In addition to the streets in Beirut, demonstrators blocked the main highway to Damascus. The main Syrian-Lebanese border crossing in the Masna’a region was also blocked.
The economic and financial situation in Lebanon continues to deteriorate. President Michel Aung stated in early October that the country was suffering from the financial blockade and sanctions. There is also a currency deficit in the banking sector. Transfers to foreign accounts have been suspended, the issuance of dollars is limited to one thousand per week, and the commission rate for cash disbursements has been increased. Private entrepreneurs refuse to accept payments by cashless settlement. At the same time, the Lebanese pound began to fall against the dollar two months ago for the first time in 30 years. Now it has reached the level of 2,400 pounds per dollar, while the Central Bank continues to maintain the previous rate of 1515 pounds.
In October, anti-government demonstrations began against this background. The protesters demand economic reforms and prosecution of officials involved in corruption schemes. The Saad Hariri government resigned on 29 October, but the demonstrations have not stopped. The country has remained in a political vacuum for more than two months, with the President appointing a new Prime Minister, Hassan Diyab, but it has not yet been possible to form a new government that satisfies all political parties.