Protests flare in Beirut over dire economic conditions

Protests flare in Beirut over dire economic conditions
Hundreds of people protested in Lebanon's capital Sunday (September 29) over increasingly difficult living conditions, amid fears of a dollar shortage and possible price hikes.

A skirmish broke out as protesters tried to break through security barriers in front of the cabinet office and anti-riot forces pushed them back with shields and batons, an AFP photographer said.

Demonstrators briefly cut off several Beirut thoroughfares, some with burning tyres emitting billowing black smoke.

Around 500 people, some carrying Lebanese flags, had gathered earlier in the capital's central Martyrs' Square to march to the seats of government and parliament, the photographer said.

"Revolution, revolution," cried some of the protesters.

Outside parliament, dozens of men and women streamed in from a side street under the watchful eye of security forces, another AFP reporter said.

"Government, parliament... Thieves, thieves!" they chanted.

Lebanon's central bank governor said on Monday (September 30) the bank will secure foreign currency for some imports in a move that is expected to ease the demand for hard currency.

Riad Salameh's comments came a day after hundreds protested in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon over a worsening economic crisis, compounded by worries that Lebanon's dollar-reliant currency is losing value for the first time in more than two decades.

Based on AFP, Reuters

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