Destruction, anger, sit-ins.. Lebanese people demand the elimination of corruption
Several Lebanese depositors resumed their sit-ins in front of the Central Bank building in Beirut and the residence of interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati, to demand the return of their deposits that banks froze more than three years ago.
Destruction and anger
According to the Associated Press, depositors destroyed a bank ATM and damaged the Bank Association building. In recent months, depositors’ sit-ins in Lebanon showed a decline following attempts by the government and parliament to find solutions to the ongoing economic crisis that began in October 2019.
Three years ago, banks imposed unilateral controls on what most depositors can withdraw weekly in US dollars or the Lebanese pound, which has lost more than 95% of its value.
Sources accompanying the protests said that the sit-ins were not linked to any political event. They said that the movement came after the authorities failed to find a solution to the economic crisis, as the Depositors Association in Lebanon called, earlier this week, for a sit-in in front of the parliament building, on Tuesday, to demand the return of their money from banks. “The movement then expanded, with angry mourners gathering in front of Mikati’s home, throwing fireworks and trying to cut barbed wire amid tight security.”
Dozens of demonstrators later took to the streets of downtown Beirut, carrying banners expressing their protest against financial policies and demanding the return of their deposits. They demanded the removal of the “banking authority”, saying that the movement is only the beginning of a spark.
Ending corruption
According to the US agency, protesters demanded the Arab League summit to “topple the corrupt regime”, and also rejected the parliament and government resolutions that accused it of stealing their money. They said, “We, lawyers, engineers, and university students are not thieves,” warning that “depositors will become a time bomb.” Two MPs, Najat Aoun and Melhem Khalaf, attended the sit-in in Beirut.
Later, another group of depositors broke into a bank in the area and broke its ATM, burnt tires, and reportedly angry demonstrators marched to the headquarters of the Beirut Banking Association, damaged parts of the building, and forced bank branches in and around downtown Beirut to close.
