Protesters block major roads as Lebanon reels under unrest

Protesters have blockaded major roads in Lebanon, including the main north-south highway, defying pleas from top leaders who have warned of a new civil war in the country.

According to Press TV, hundreds of angle-parked vehicles shut the roads on Monday, a day after a poster calling on motorists to block roads with their cars circulated on social media.

Banks remained closed. They have been shut for nine working days, citing safety concerns. Bankers and analysts also cited wide fears depositors will try to take out their savings when banks reopen.

Since October 17, Lebanese protesters in Beirut and other cities have been taking to the streets to express their strong discontent with the government’s failure to find solutions to the country’s economic crisis.

The unprecedented cross-sectarian mobilization was triggered initially by the planned taxes on gasoline, tobacco and online phone calls such as through WhatsApp.

The leaderless protest rallies have been noteworthy for their territorial reach and the absence of political or sectarian banners.

On October 21, embattled Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced a package of economic reforms which aims to revive an almost collapsed economy, but the move has failed to stop the protests.

On Thursday, President Michel Aoun, for his part, expressed readiness for dialogue with anti-graft protesters.

However, there have been warnings that foreign elements and certain political parties are seeking to “exploit” the protests.

“Some protests have been financed by embassies and suspicious sides. Certain elements are seeking to stir political tensions in Lebanon in a bid to create political vacuum in the country," Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said on Friday.

“We have information that an anti-resistance scheme is being prepared for Lebanon. Several sides are exploiting popular protests to settle their account with Hezbollah and implement foreign agendas,” he said. 

SS