Lebanese army starts clearing roadblocks after week of protests

Cars block a highway during a protest against the fall in Lebanese pound currency and mounting economic hardships, in Jal el-Dib, Lebanon on March 9, 2021. REUTERS/ISSAM ABDALLAH/FILE
Cars block a highway during a protest against the fall in Lebanese pound currency and mounting economic hardships, in Jal el-Dib, Lebanon on March 9, 2021. REUTERS/ISSAM ABDALLAH/FILE

BEIRUT – The Lebanese army said on Wednesday it had started clearing roadblocks eight days after protesters burnt tires to block roadways across the country in anger over the country’s economic meltdown and political deadlock.

President Michel Aoun had asked the army and security forces to clear the obstructions on Monday after a meeting with top officials.

Lebanon’s financial crisis, which erupted in 2019, has wiped out jobs, locked people out of their bank deposits, and raised the risk of widespread hunger.

Groups of protesters have been burning tires daily to block roads since the Lebanese currency tumbled to a new low last week, deepening popular anger over the country’s financial collapse.

Three people died in car accidents amidst the roadblocks on Monday including two young men who died when they drove into a truck that was parked across a road to block traffic.(Reuters)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here