Demonstrators smashed the facades of several banks in the city, one building was set on fire; the banking association announced the closure of all banks in Tripoli.
In northern Lebanon, in the city of Tripoli, as the economic crisis worsened, the protests became violent, with protesters launching attacks on banks. This was reported by Reuters, citing eyewitnesses.
The army reported that during the riots in Tripoli, a bomb was thrown into one of the vehicles. A hand grenade was also used, resulting in minor injuries to two soldiers. Public and private property was attacked. Protesters smashed the facades of several banks in the city and set one building on fire.
The army called on the protesters to leave the streets quickly.
The Banking Association announced the closure of all banks in Tripoli from Tuesday until security in the city was restored.
Lebanese banks were often targeted by protesters during the financial and economic crisis, which led to the collapse of the Lebanese pound and the freezing of depositors’ deposits.
The long-overdue crisis reached its peak last year, when capital inflows into Lebanon slowed. It sparked protests against the country’s political elite. Since then, the Lebanese pound has lost more than half its value, leading to higher inflation in a country heavily dependent on imports.
It is worth noting that there are two cities in the world called Tripoli. In the Lebanese Republic, Tripoli is located in the northern region of the country, the second largest city after Beirut. It is washed from the west by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The Republic of Lebanon is situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Israel to the south, Syria to the east and the north.
The other city of Tripoli is in Libya, the capital of the country. The city is located in the north-west of the country, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea Bay. Libya is a state in North Africa, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.