Lebanese authorities face demonstrations against restrictions

The Lebanese Red Cross reported more than 30 people injured in clashes between security forces and young protesters opposing health restrictions in Tripoli.

The protesters threw stones at the headquarters of local authorities shortly before the situation escalated, the national news agency ANI said. They stressed that they were protesting against the lockdown, fines and the economic crisis situation. However, according to an AFP photographer at the scene, the youths threw stones at security forces as they were trying to disperse them with tear gas and rubber balls.

Hours earlier, riot police were deployed on Tuesday to prevent protesters from shutting down a main street in Beirut, motivated by the same motive as the Tripoli demonstrators. The deployment took place on Corniche al-Mazraa after a small number of residents attempted to block the street. There were no direct clashes between the two sides and the road remained open. 

Later, protesters closed roads and a key thoroughfare in the northern and southern parts of the country with burning tyres and stones before Lebanese soldiers quickly moved in and reopened them. There were no incidents there either.

Protests against the blockade have also been reported in the southern city of Sidon over the weekend. The closure has hit hard in impoverished areas already facing the worst economic and financial crisis in decades.

Restrictions are moderately enforced in Tripoli and security forces have imposed numerous fines. A strict confinement initially set to run until 25 January has been extended to 8 February. The measures have been taken to curb an unchecked surge in coronavirus cases and end hospital overcrowding. 

So far Lebanon has 282,249 cases of COVID-19 and 2,404 deaths. The health crisis has led to a lockdown consisting of a 24-hour curfew and closure of shops. Cases spiked after the authorities allowed family gatherings during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The country is mired in one of the most severe economic crises it has ever experienced, accentuated by currency depreciation, hyperinflation and unemployment. Half of the population now lives in poverty.