Protesters rise up as Lebanon’s leaders grapple with multiple economic crises
Hundreds of Lebanese took to the streets to protest deteriorating economic conditions and the high cost of living, which prompted the Central Bank to issue a new measure aimed at easing the currency crisis.
“The situation is tragic,” Ahmad Halabi, a protester in Beirut, told Al-Monitor Sept. 29. “The dollar is limited, gasoline is cut-off for us, there’s no water at home, there’s no food,” said Halabi.
Earlier that day, several hundred Beirutis had taken to the streets of Lebanon’s capital city, and many of them, like Halabi, had been motivated to take action by the shortage of dollars in the country’s banking system, threats of a backslide in the value of the Lebanese pound, and nationwide gas station strikes that took place in response. Although these issues were the immediate triggers of the protests — which at times turned violent — demonstrators demanded change to deeper, more systemic issues like Lebanon’s broadening economic crisis, the corruption of the political elite, and even the country’s sectarian system of government.
On Oct. 1, two days after the protests, the Central Bank of Lebanon unveiled a mechanism that will give importers of gasoline, wheat and pharmaceuticals access to dollars in order to be able to buy their imports. Lebanese streets have remained calm since. But, although the measure is a move in the right direction according to Lebanese leaders, analysts say it is a short-term solution that does not rule out further protests or public anger.
The protests began in Martyr’s Square in central Beirut. Demonstrators proceeded to march through downtown Beirut, where they reportedly clashed with police in attempts to break through security barriers set up around Nejmeh Square, the location of the Lebanese parliament, and in front of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's headquarters.
