Lebanon: Protestors block roads amid economic meltdown 

Protestors in Lebanon have blocked roads across parts of the country today against deteriorating living conditions and an economic meltdown as the country’s currency hits a new low.

Using burning tyres, roads were blocked in central Beirut, Tripoli in the north and the southern city of Sidon.

Demonstrators also managed to close major highways, including one leading to Beirut’s international airport. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, roads in Cola, Kaskas, Corniche Al-Mazraa, Barbir and Saeb Salam were blocked to traffic.

After widespread calls yesterday, several roads blocked this morning all over #Lebanon amid worsening crisis. Such nationwide protests have been rare these past months. Some accusing Future mvt of being behind this. They denied. (Photo OLJ) pic.twitter.com/nxG2P3fA1z

— Matthieu Karam (@MatthieuKaram) November 29, 2021

Lebanon has been undergoing its worst economic crisis in its modern history since 2019, which has led to more than three-quarters of the population of six million living in poverty, including a million Syrian refugees. The local currency, the Lebanese lira also depreciated by over 90 per cent to more than 25,000 to the dollar last week, compared to a value of 1,500 in 2019.

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun arrived in Qatar today to discuss the diplomatic crisis that has unfolded between Beirut and Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. According to Qatar’s Al-Raya daily, Aoun said he will call on the country’s emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, to invest in the reconstruction of Beirut’s port that was destroyed in last year’s massive explosion. Aoun also said he would seek an investment in other infrastructure projects, including electricity, as the country experiences routine blackouts.

READ: Lebanon judges resign over political interference in judiciary