Beirut, Nov 30, : Protests brokeout across Lebanon against the deterioration of living conditions and the collapse in the local currency, according to the National News Agency. Protesters blocked roads in Beirut, Tripoli and Sidon, Zahle, and Mount Lebanon with burning tires, waste containers, Monday.
This prevented citizens from reaching their jobs and forced some schools to close their doors.
According to Xinhua news agency, the nationwide protests began after the collapse in the local currency to 25,000 Lebanese Pounds per US Dollar instead of the old official rate at 1,500 Pounds.
On Sunday, activists and members of civil society circulated messages via social media asking citizens to join the protests.
The worst financial crisis has hit Lebanon in its history.
The unemployment rate is expected to rise to above 40 percent in 2021, and the poverty rate is estimated at 78% by the United Nations.
The country has begun talks with the International Monetary Fund to unlock billions of dollars of funds to save its crippling economy.
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