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Lebanon braces for third day of unrest as rage sweeps country

News Service
14:36 - 19/10/2019 Cumartesi
Update: 14:38 - 19/10/2019 Cumartesi
REUTERS
Demonstrators carry national flags during an anti-government protest in Beirut, Lebanon October 19, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Demonstrators carry national flags during an anti-government protest in Beirut, Lebanon October 19, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

"TWO BIG DANGERS"

In the speech, Nasarallah predicted that imposing more taxes would lead to an "explosion" of unrest.

He said Lebanon was facing two big dangers - financial and economic meltdown and popular unrest.

"If we don't work towards a solution we're heading towards a collapse of the country, it will be bankrupt and our currency will not have any value."

"The second danger is a popular explosion as a result of wrong handling of the situation," Nasrallah said.

The unusually wide geographic reach of protests has highlighted the deepening anger of the Lebanese. The government, which includes nearly all Lebanon's main parties, has repeatedly failed to implement reforms needed to fix the national finances.

"The protests must continue because this is a matter of our dignity. We'll be left humiliated otherwise," said Miriam Keserwan, 28.

Riot police in vehicles and on foot rounded up protesters late on Friday, firing rubber bullets and tear gas canisters to disperse riots in Beirut that grew violent as the night wore on, leaving streets strewn with glass and burning debris.

Lebanon's internal security apparatus said 52 police were injured on Friday and its forces arrested 70 people.

"I can't blame the people who are doing this," said 26-year-old Charbel Abyad, referring to the city's damage. "Some have no jobs, no healthcare and no education. They are being mistreated and they can't help but express it this way."

#Lebanon
#protests
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