98.221.136.220 (talk) Some idiot said the protests are against the owwet and kataeb. Actually most of the dumbos on the streets were TOLD by those parties to go on the streets and chant mindless slogans. Beware of pro-protest partisans editing this page |
98.221.136.220 (talk) Hezbollah also says it supports the protesters demands, everyone does in Lebanon. That doesn't mean the Maronite Church in Lebanon supports the downfall of the government and the destabilization of the country Tag: references removed |
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*[[Syriac Maronite Church]]<ref>https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-middle-east/2019/10/lebanons-catholic-patriarchs-support-protesters-seeking-economic-reforms/ Lebanon’s Catholic patriarchs support protesters seeking economic reforms</ref> |
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{{flagicon image|Flag_of_Kataeb_Party.svg}} [[Kataeb Party]] |
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Revision as of 23:10, 7 December 2019
2019 Lebanese Revolution | |||
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Date | 17 October 2019 (4 years, 7 months and 1 week) | – present ||
Location | |||
Caused by | |||
Methods | |||
Status | Ongoing | ||
Concessions | Resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri | ||
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Lead figures | |||
Casualties and losses | |||
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The 2019 Lebanese Protests is a series of country-wide, non-sectarian[8] protests. In the short term, the protests are motivated by the Lebanese government's failure to find solutions to an economic crisis that has been looming for the past year because of corruption, wasting public money and stealing governmental entities.[9] In the long term, they constitute a reaction against sectarian rule, endemic corruption in the public sector, legislation (such as banking secrecy) that is perceived to shield the ruling class from accountability[10][11] and failures from the government to provide basic services such as electricity, water and sanitation.[12] The immediate trigger to the protests were due to the planned taxes on gasoline, tobacco and online phone calls such as through WhatsApp,[13][14][15] as country-wide protests broke out right after Cabinet talks of the taxes, due to be ratified by 22 October.[16][17][18]
On 29 October, Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced the resignation of his government in response to the protests. Protests have since continued and are calling for the binding parliamentary consultations to form a new government of competent and independent specialists [19] and for the resignation of the entire political class, including Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and President Michel Aoun.
Background
Political background
According to The Economist, Lebanon's dysfunction and mismanagement, a cause of the protests, has its origins in the country's sectarian political system enshrined following the Taif agreement, which took place in 1989, almost thirty years before the 2019 protest began. The Taif agreement enshrines a sect-based political system, where political authority is allocated based on the religious affiliation of the public servant. This system is perceived as exploited by the current Lebanese political class, many of whom are Lebanese Civil War-era sectarian warlords who still occupy positions of power and enjoy amnesty against accountability.[20]
The outbreak of the protests was attributed to the accumulated crises within the preceding weeks in Lebanon, from a dollar crisis,[21] to gas stations striking,[22] to an imposed tax on gasoline,[23] wheat[24] and online phone calls.[25] Moreover, the prices of both oil and bread had been increasing amid increased unemployment and poverty nationwide, with youth unemployment at 37% and general unemployment at 25% as of August 2019.[26]
Furthermore, Lebanon has not had stable, 24-hour electricity since 1975, with eight-hour daily power rationing cuts being common across the nation; obtaining 24-hour electricity in Lebanon has since been dependent on obtaining a deal with the country's "generator mafia", which operates a ring of contraband gasoline power generators that contribute to the high level of air pollution observed in Lebanese cities.[27] Lebanon has also not had access to drinking water except through purchasing bottled water through private companies since the 1975-1990 Lebanese Civil War. Finally, the country suffers from a deficient sanitation and sewage infrastructure, which led to the 2015 "garbage crisis" that sparked the 2015–16 Lebanese protests.[28]
Days before the protests began, a series of about 100 major wildfires in Chouf, Khroub and other Lebanese areas displaced hundreds of people and caused enormous damage to Lebanese wildlife. The Lebanese government failed to deploy its firefighting equipment due to lack of maintenance and had to rely on aid from neighboring Cyprus, Jordan, Turkey and Greece.[29][30]
Protests started taking place in small numbers around Beirut towards the end of September.[31][32] Impetus for the revolutionary movement was apparent years before the protests began and was visible in Lebanon's arts and culture scene, as evidenced by pop artist Ragheb Alama's song "Tar Al Balad"[33] in December 2018 and rock singer-songwriter IJK's song "Chedd Halak"[34] in June 2019.
Economic background
Since 1997, successive governments maintained a pegged exchange rate between the Lebanese pound and United States dollar.[35] Forecasts for the Lebanese economy worsened over the 2010s and by 2019 GDP per capita reached its lowest since 2008 and the debt-to-GDP ratio reached its highest since 2008 at 151%.[36][37] As a result, international credit rating agencies downgraded the rating of government bonds.[38] The combination of an economic downturn in the import-dependent country with the continuation of its dollar peg saw an increase in the government's budget deficit and a reliance on using foreign exchange reserves from the nation's central bank to keep the currency peg.[39] A subsequent dollar shortage in late 2019 further affected the economy, as import businesses and citizens became unable to acquire dollars at the official rate and a black market emerged.[40][41] The coalition government led by Saad Hariri responded with an austerity program of general tax increases and spending reductions, with the aim to reduce the government deficit while maintaining the peg against the U.S. dollar.[42][43][44] The reduction of the national deficit was a condition of a package of USD 10.2 billion of loans and USD 860 million of grants agreed in 2018 with the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Saudi Arabia.[45]
On October 1, the Central Bank of Lebanon announced an economic strategy that promised to provide dollars to all those companies in the business of importing wheat, gasoline, and pharmaceuticals, so that they could continue their imports. This was considered a short-term solution by economic analysts.[46]
In a cabinet session held on 17 October, the government proposed strategies to increase state revenue for 2020. There were 36 items to be discussed, including the increase of Value Added Tax (VAT) by 2% by 2021 and an additional 2% by 2022, making it reach a total of 15%. Additionally, the media reported there were plans of a USD 0.20 charge on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls, such as ones made on FaceTime, Facebook and WhatsApp.[47] The final session of the budget draft was to be held on the 19 October, but was canceled upon the agreement of Prime Minister Saad Hariri and President Michel Aoun.[48][49]
Protests
Beginning
17 October: Approximately one hundred civil activists were protesting against the new proposed taxes in and around downtown Beirut, blocking important streets.[50] As the Minister of Higher Education Akram Chehayeb and his convoy passed by the area, protesters assembled on his car. One of his bodyguards shot stray bullets into the air, which further enraged the protesters; no injuries were reported.[51] Walid Joumblatt, the leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, stated that he had spoken to minister Chehayeb who represents the party in the Lebanese government and requested the bodyguards be handed over to the police, as all people are "under the law".[52][53] A large number of protesters began appearing in Martyrs Square, Nejmeh Square, and Hamra Street, as well as many other regions around Lebanon. As the protests grew bigger, Prime Minister Saad Hariri called a snap cabinet meeting at the request of President Michel Aoun for midday on 18 October.[54] An announcement was also made by Minister of Higher Education Akram Chehayeb that all schools and universities, public or private, would remain closed the next day.[55] The Minister of Telecommunications Mohamad Choucair announced that "WhatsApp tax" idea had been scrapped at around 11:00PM.[56] Protesters saw the "WhatsApp tax" as the last straw, socially, politically and economically, against the entire political class, which was deemed corrupt and in need of immediate ousting.
18 October: Protesters in Nabatiyeh and Tripoli vandalized the offices of the Hezbollah, Amal Movement, and Free Patriotic Movement political parties in an expression of disillusionment and in protest against perceived government corruption.[57][58][59] Other protesters aimed to enter the Serail, which includes the Lebanese Parliament building, but were stopped by the use of tear gas from the Internal Security Forces.[60] protesters created roadblocks on the major roads of the country, using burning tires and trash cans to stop access.[61][62] Civil servants announced a strike with immediate effect through League of Public Sector Employees, arguing that the proposed reforms would "undermine the rights of employees and pensioners in particular".[63] A cabinet meeting was due to be held in the afternoon, but ministers of the Lebanese Forces announced that they would not attend.[64] The leader of the Forces, Samir Geagea, called for the resignation of the Prime Minister, due to the "resounding failure to halt the deterioration of the [country's] economic situation".[65] After this announcement, the cabinet meeting was canceled by the Prime Minister.[66] Leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, called for a "calm and peaceful" move against President Michel Aoun's mandate, and organized rallies in Aley, Bhamdoun, and Baakline to voice their opinions.[67] Pierre Issa of the National Bloc voiced a similar opinion, calling for a "government of specialists, a government reduced from public safety". However, he criticized the involvement of political parties within the protests and argued it should remain something for the citizens to do.[68] In the evening, Prime Minister Saad Hariri addressed the nation, giving his "partners in government" 72 hours to support the reforms. If they did not come to an agreement, he suggested he would take a "different approach".[69][70] He tweeted "72 hours..." right after the delivered speech.[71]
First week
19 October: Lebanese national Hussein Al-Attar was shot and killed during a protest.[72] Former MP Mosbah al-Ahdab's bodyguards fired on protesters, no one was killed, but four were injured.[73] The General Secretary of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, addressed the nation in the morning, speaking against the imposed taxes. However, he indicated that Hezbollah was against the government resigning and instead asked citizens to divert blame from Hariri's cabinet to the previous government, which was also to blame for the state of the economy.[74] As the protests carried on throughout the day, there were alleged reports of Amal Movement militant groups harassing and opening fire on protesters in Tyre.[75]
Protests were held around major European cities, as well as in North America and Australia, showing solidarity with the protesters in Lebanon.[76] Due to the mounting pressure from protesters, the Lebanese Forces announced their resignation from the cabinet. Samir Geagea, their leader, had previously blamed his opponents for "obstructing the necessary reforms," but since declared his "lack of confidence in the current cabinet." His party held four seats within the government: Minister of Labor Camille Abou Sleiman, Minister of Administrative Development May Chidiac, Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani, and Minister of Social Affairs Richard Kouyumjian.[77]
20 October: Hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered in locations throughout the country, making it the largest demonstrations since 2005.[78] Gunfire was heard outside the Tripoli office of Firas Al-Ali, an associate of Hariri. None were injured with the clash, and security forces were quick to act.[79] At 6:00PM, protesters across the country united to sing the national anthem together.[80]
21 October: a general strike was called across the country demanding an end to the country's economic problems. Some protesters began clearing away demonstration debris in Beirut after a social media call to keep the streets tidy and clear.[81] In the afternoon, an emergency cabinet meeting was held. After the meeting, Prime Minister Hariri held a press conference in which he announced various economic reforms including halfing the salaries of legislators and members of parliament, reducing the deficit by about US$3.4 billion in 2020 with the help of the Lebanese central bank and the banking sector, distributing financial aid to families living in poverty and giving US$160 million in housing loans.[78] These proposals were unsuccessful at quelling protests. At night, several motorcyclists hoisting Hezbollah and Amal Movement were recorded heading towards the protests in central Beirut but were intercepted by the Lebanese Army. Soon thereafter, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement denied any involvement with the motorcyclists.[82]
22 October: Hariri met the ambassadors of the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and the European Union, along with representatives from China, the United Nations, and the Arab League. Hariri discussed planned reforms and stressed the importance of peaceful expression from the protesters. The representatives, who form the International Support Group for Lebanon, expressed support for economic reforms and protection of protesters, but urged the leaders of Lebanon to engage in open dialogue with the country's citizens.[83]
23 October: Hariri held a meeting with the ministerial committee in charge of financial and economic reforms, discussing a draft law on the recovery of public money and requesting suggestions on it from the Supreme Judicial Council within ten days.[84] In the evening, Hariri also held a meeting with members of the Progressive Socialist Party to discuss the latest developments in the country.[85] Sheikh Akl of the Lebanese Druze community called for government dialogue to safeguard the rights of liberty, security and stability.[86]
24 October: President Michel Aoun addressed the population, stating his willingness to hold a dialogue with the protesters and find the best solution forward. He supported Hariri's reforms, but did confirm a need to "review the current government" within the "state institutions", and not through protesting.[87] Hariri supported this review through Lebanon's "constitutional mechanisms", but the protesters rejected any calls for dialogue until the government has resigned.[88]
Second week
25 October: Despite calls for dialogue from President Aoun, protests and road blocks continued. Small scuffles broke out in central Beirut between protesters and Hezbollah supporters. One protester was injured.[89] A report by Standard & Poor's downgraded its credit assessment of Lebanon to "CreditWatch negative" due to the government's low creditworthiness and economic pressures relating to the reforms. The country's banks remained closed.[90][91] Hezbollah supporters again clashed with protesters in downtown Beirut, chanting in support of Hezbollah's General Secretary, Hassan Nasrallah.[92] Nasrallah held a speech in the evening, calling his supporters to leave the streets.[93][94] Within this speech, he praised the protesters for achieving economic reforms, but suggested that they were being exploited by local and foreign agents to start a civil war within the country.[95] Nasrallah also strongly suggested that the protests are part of an Israeli and American plot.[96]
26 October: A security meeting was held in Yarzeh to discuss how the safety and free movement of protesters could be ensured.[97] Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea once more criticized the lack of response from the government towards the protesters' concerns.[98] Meanwhile, thousands of Lebanese gathered in over thirty cities around the world on the 26th and 27 October including Sydney, Paris, Houston and London in a show of support[citation needed].
27 October: Tens of thousands of individuals took part in a "human chain" which was held on the coastlines from the Northern city of Tripoli to the southern city of Tyre - encompassing 171 km - organized with the intention to show the unity of the Lebanese people.[99][100][101] The Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi during a Sunday sermon in Bkerké considered that the people are living their positive and reformist revolution.[102] Pope Francis addressed the Lebanese people expressing their struggle in the face of challenges and social, moral and economic problems of the country, expressing he's praying that Lebanon can continue to be a place of peaceful coexistence, and urging the Lebanese government to listen to the concerns of the people.[103]
29 October: Black-clad[96] Hezbollah and Amal Movement supporters attacked protesters in Beirut, tearing down and setting fire to the tents set up by the protesters, throwing plastic chairs, and beating anti-government protesters.[104] Many among the angry mob chanted: "God, Nasrallah, and the whole Dahyeh,” in reference to the southern suburb that is a stronghold of the Iranian-backed militant group. They also chanted, "Shia, Shia", as a reverential reference to the country's Shiite Muslim sect.[96] The Hezbollah and Amal Movement supporters also attacked TV crew members and destroyed live broadcasting equipment for the MTV (Lebanon) and Al Jadeed television channels, claiming that they were upset at the roadblocks and insults to their leader.[105] Public squares across Beirut filled with protesters shortly after.[106] Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation in a televised address on the afternoon of the 29th of October. Several hours after the resignation of the Prime Minister, celebrations swept the nation with demonstrators cautiously welcoming the resignation celebrated through fireworks, songs, and releasing flagged colored balloons.[107]
30 October: Tear gas was fired at protesters in the northern district of Akkar by the Lebanese Army trying to reopen the roads. Protesters also blocked roads in the southern city of Sidon and Bekaa Valley. In Central Beirut, dozens of protesters blocked the "Ring Bridge" while a big crowd returned to Tripoli's al-Nour Square to protest. The Lebanese Army intervened in many regions to prevent escalation.[108][109] Later that evening a statement released from the Presidential Office said that Lebanese President Michel Aoun will address the nation the next day on 31 October.[110]
31 October: President Aoun delivered a speech[111] in which he spoke about Lebanon's economic and financial crisis. He also spoke about his commitment in fighting corruption, ensuring political stability, eliminating terrorists and the return of Syrian refugees within the country. He also promised the new government will be made up by specialist instead of political loyalists.[112] Protesters took to the streets and blocked roads across the country almost immediately after President Aoun's address to the nation, demanding early parliamentary elections and the formation of a technocratic government. Demonstrators shut off roads in cities nationwide – including Sidon, Bekaa, and Khaldeh – with burning tires or by the sheer volume of protesters. In Tripoli, thousands of protesters started to gather at Al-Nour Square while In Beirut, protesters blocked the George Haddad highway which connects the waterfront road to the "Ring Bridge". The Lebanese Army and riot police were deployed across the country in an effort to reopen the roads.[113][114]
Third week
1 November: Lebanon's banks reopened after two weeks of closure, the longest bank closure in the nation's history.[115] "Unofficial" capital controls were imposed by individual banks to prevent a bank run, with personal withdrawals being limited to US$3,000 per week or per month depending on individual banks. Corporate banking activity was similarly heavily restricted, and international bank transfers from Lebanon were halted almost completely, subject to manual per-transfer approval.[116] Hezbollah's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah offered a public speech in which he stated that Hezbollah feared a government overthrow, due to the consequent "vacuum" Lebanon would experience.[117] Nasrallah's then-latest speech was perceived to be unclear on whether Hezbollah supported or opposed the nation-wide revolutionary movement. Nasrallah again shed doubt on the motivations of the protesters during his speech, implying that they were being manipulated by foreign influences.[118] As Lebanese schools universities remained closed during the protests, public teach-ins and debates, organized by secular political groups and advocacy organizations (Beirut Madinati, Libaladi, Lihaqqi and others) were offered in Beirut.[119]
3 November: Thousands of Lebanese Free Patriotic Movement supporters attended a protest in support of President Michel Aoun, the founder of the party. During the protest, FPM leader Gebran Bassil made a personal statement for the first time in over 13 days.[121] Bassil claimed "We should block roads for MPs who refuse corruption-combating laws, politicians who escape accountability and judges who do not implement the law." He also demanded lifting banking secrecy on political officials' accounts and insisting accountability, as well as a return of misused or stolen public funds.[122] In the afternoon, tens of thousands of anti-government protesters flooded the streets across Lebanon in a "Sunday of unity".[123] Protesters gathered for the third consecutive Sunday since mass anti-government demonstrations began on 17 October, filling the streets and central squares of major cities including Beirut, Tripoli and Tyre. Dozens of main roads were closed by burning tires, mounts of sand and by the sheer amount of protesters, despite an ongoing threat of violence from political-party opposition. Acts of violence from party rivals consisted around Lebanon, such as the attacks on protesters in Beirut blocking public roads.[124][125] These attacks were presumed to be affiliated with Hezbollah.[126]
4 November: A candle-light vigil was held in Baalbek in memorial of those who have perished in the Lebanese protest,[127] while physical tensions from road blocking persisted in Beirut.[128]
5 November: Some students of American University of Science and Technology in Beirut showed attendance in protest, and were met with harsh engagement from soldiers of the Lebanese Armed Forces. General Directorate of General Security officers were recorded verbally threatening students that were recording the protests.[129] Protesters in Nabatieh, shut down companies such as OGERO, Liban Post, Banque du Liban and several banks despite state-exerted political pressure towards the protesters in this region.[130] Protesters were present outside electrical company buildings, frustrated with decades of inconsistent power and common outages.[131]
6 November: Thousands of students across Lebanon protested in front of universities and schools refusing to attend classes until their demands are met.[132] Several student led movements have been organized since the start of the protests, in demand of a financial student contract, the reversal of the decision to change tuition fees to the dollar currency in some universities, independent student councils in each university, and a well-funded Lebanese University. On the national scale, they have been asking for social, political, and economic reform, in hopes of finding respectable job prospects after graduation without nepotism or sect bias. Pension and retirement plans are also being demanded, as well as proper health care coverage.[133] In the afternoon, protesters began to gradually grow across Lebanon and started protesting by the thousands in front of key governmental and private institutions and forced some of them to close their doors.[134]
Fourth week
9 November: It was reported that the dollar-rationing policies implemented by Lebanese banks were at risk of causing major shortages and price hikes in gasoline, petrol, food and other vital supplies. Suleiman Haroun, the head of the Lebanese Syndicate of Hospitals, said that medical stocks in the country "will not last more than a month" unless a solution is found.[135] During the weekend, news spread of a planned parliamentary legislative session on November 12 that would include a proposed general amnesty law, which could grant current and past members protection against prosecution for crimes such as corruption and misuse of public funds. In response, protesters called for a general strike to be held on the same day, and published a list of demands which included bolstering guarantees for a speedy trial, working towards a solution for the economic crisis, guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary and investigating the misuse of public funds.[136][137]
11 November: The Lebanese Federation of Syndicates of Bank Employees called for a general strike for its 11,000 members over "concerns for safety". This strike is unprecedented in the country's history and its impact is unclear. No end date was specified for the strike, and a general closure of all Lebanese banks may very well be the result.[138] Riad Salameh, the governor of Lebanon's central bank (Banque du Liban) gave a press conference in which he denied the possibility of capital control on the Lebanese economy, assured that a "haircut" on large accounts is not a possibility, and repeated that the central bank's priority remains on economic stability and confidence in the Lebanese Pound. When asked about the strike by the bank staff union announced earlier in the day, Salameh claimed to have not yet heard of it.[139] A few minutes after Salameh's press conference, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri appeared on live television to announce that the following day's parliamentary session had been delayed until 19 November 2019, possibly as a response to protests called for during the weekend against the proposed general amnesty bill that was due to be discussed. Berri claimed the postponement was for "security reasons".[140] In the afternoon, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah gave a speech in which he made strong overtures towards a corruption investigation to be led by Lebanon's judiciary, offering for Hezbollah to collaborate fully with any such investigation and calling for a "strong, independent judiciary" to equally investigate all Lebanese parties without reservation.[141] Nasrallah also called for banking secrecy and any prior amnesty for public representatives to be lifted, "dating back to 1992".
12 November: Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri was reported to have sent resigned Prime Minister Saad Hariri a pot of Leben, a traditional Lebanese dairy product, along with a note that promised "eternal enmity" if Hariri refused to form a new government. Hariri thanked Berri for the Leben but excused himself as having ceased eating all kinds of milks and cheeses due to lactose intolerance, concluding that "indeed, the state of the country itself requires a new political diet or "regime", so to speak". The unusual exchange was covered in Lebanese media.[142] President Michel Aoun gave a live interview at 8:30PM, during which he rejected calls for a fully technocratic government, warned against a run on the bank further damaging the economic sector, and called for an immediate end to the protests to prevent a "catastrophe". Aoun accused protesters of "stabbing the nation with a dagger" and accused protesters that blocked roads of "violating international law". Aoun also stated that “anyone who cannot find faith in the current Lebanese government can leave Lebanon and live somewhere else".[143] Aoun's interview proved exceedingly unpopular with the protest movement, which began blocking an unprecedented number of arterial roads in Beirut and across Lebanon before the interview was even concluded including Qob Elias,[144] Ring Bridge,[145] Dahr el Baidar,[146] Jiyyeh,[147] Nahr el Kalb,[148] Neemeh,[149] Beddawi,[150] Abdeh, Mahmara, Braqil,[151] Madina Riyadiyya,[152] Verdun,[153] Jal el Dib,[154] Hasbaya,[155] the Palma highway,[156] Aley,[157] Cola,[158] Dawra,[159] Sayyfi,[160] Corniche al Mazraa,[161] and Sassine.[162] Alaa Abou Fakhr,[5] a Lebanese national, was shot and killed in Khalde at the ensuing protests.
13 November: Protesters began appearing in the early morning near the heavily fortified Baabda Presidential Palace to express dissatisfaction with President Aoun's speech a few hours earlier, and picked up in pace as the day progressed.[163]
14 November: Activist and protester Khaldoun Jaber was released by the Lebanese army after being detained in Baabda the previous day in mysterious circumstances. Jaber was shown to have marks of physical abuse upon his release, which he claimed were due to torture by the army during his detention. Jaber also claimed to have been exposed to psychological abuse.[164] During his detention, Jaber was not given access to a lawyer with even the location of his detention being kept secret. The reason for his arrest was unclear, with some sources claiming it was due to attempting to cross a security perimeter during the previous day's protest near Baabda Palace.[165]
Fifth week
15 November: As the protests continue nationwide, Sleiman Haroun, the president of the Syndicate of Private Hospitals, threatened to have November 15, 2019 as a day of closure to all patients except the ones who have dialysis, chemotherapy treatment and emergency care, unless some immediate action is taken by the authorities in the government.[166] Haroun said the strike has nothing to do with the current protest and his purpose was to “raise awareness” and highlight the fact that the government has not been paying its full dues to the hospitals since 2011 and owes them a total of $1.3 billion as of today.[166][167] Since no direct response was received, all hospitals in Metn, Akkar and Nabatieh areas went on strike that day; doctors along with the hospital’s medical teams and staff were on the streets “breathing their last breath”.[168]
Currency and payment issues are causing additional burden on hospitals. Hospitals are running out of medical supplies and equipment, because they are 100% reliant on imported supplies and equipment.[166] Due to shortage of US currency in Lebanon, banks have not been able to transfer fund in US dollar to the companies who import these supplies.[166] Suppliers now have to turn to exchange houses in order to get their US dollars, which end up charging significantly higher rates than the official rate of 1$ to 1,507.5 L.L., only if they had any dollars to sell.[169] Suppliers have also not been paid by the hospitals as a result of the situation. If this continues, hospitals will only have one month before they run out of their current shelf stock.[166] Hospitals have received no payment since the beginning of 2019 and salary reductions are being considered in many hospitals if the situation does not improve.[169]
17 November: Beirut Bar Association elections were held whereby the independent candidate, Melhem Khalaf, won the majority vote (2,341 votes) establishing him as the BBA's Council president, becoming the first independent candidate to win against politically affiliated candidates in decades. Khalaf's contenders were Nader Gaspard, Saadeddine Al Khatib, and Ibrahim Moussallem. Pierre Hanna, who was backed by the Lebanese Forces, Progressive Socialist Party and the Future Movement, as well as twelve other candidates either dropped out or were not voted in, competed for council positions.[170]
19 November: Parliament was set to hold two sessions in the morning, including a legislative session that was opposed by protesters, due to it timetabling a controversial amnesty law that was perceived as potentially granting amnesty to crimes committed by the political class, such as misappropriation of public funds or corruption. The sessions were originally planned for 12 November, but were already once postponed due to protests. 58 out of 128 Members of Parliament were boycotting the session, but that number was not sufficient to prevent quorum. A human chain was planned around the Lebanese Parliament to prevent Members of Parliament from entering the premises and to thereby force the session to be postponed.[171] Protesters began gathering early in the morning. Convoys for some Members of Parliament were recorded shooting live bullets or speeding into crowds in an attempt to disperse protesters.[172] Many protesters were gravely injured. At around 11:20am, Secretary General of the Lebanese Parliament Adnane Daher confirmed to local media that both parliament sessions were postponed indefinitely. This was perceived as a victory by protesters.[173] Lebanese banks reopened for the first time since 11 November after the Lebanese Federation of Syndicates of Bank Employees ended its strike.[174]
21 November: President Michel Aoun gave a speech on the eve of Lebanese Independence Day in which he called for an end to protests and "hateful language on the streets" and promised an "anti-corruption cabinet". Protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the speech by resuming the closing of roads.[175]
Sixth week
22 November: Lebanon's 76th Independence Day was celebrated with the nation's first-ever civil parade, which was organized by civil society groups in Beirut's Martyr's Square. An invite-only private military parade had been held in the early morning by the Lebanese government, and the civil parade was intended as a rebuke against the government organized by the "true Lebanese": the parade had "batallions" representing different groups from Lebanese society, including cooks, schoolteachers, retired military personnel, pharmacists, engineers, women's rights activists, bankers, athletes, performance artists and more. The civil parade coincided with a program of festival activities organized by independent groups, which included dancing and heat lantern lighting. Marches were held across the Beirut region in the morning, all arriving to the civil parade in central Beirut.[176][177][178]
23 November: Five youths, including children aged 12 and 15, were detained by Lebanese military intelligence after taking down a banner which supported the Free Patriotic Movement, which is the party of President Michel Aoun. Their detention was reported to the media by their families, and the children were released past midnight after the intervention of volunteer lawyers.[179]
24 November: A protest was held outside the United States embassy in Lebanon to express opposition to U.S. interference in Lebanon. The protest came after Hezbollah accused the United States in meddling with and delaying the formation of a new cabinet, and after comments made by U.S. ambassador Jeffrey Feltman in which he said that "reactions to [Hezbollah] by Lebanese leaders and institutions fortunately coincide with U.S. interests".[180][181] Around noon, another protest was held across the Lebanese coastline to draw attention to the high level of environmental pollution in Lebanon.[182] Right before midnight, pro-government Hezbollah and Amal Movement supporters violently clashed with protesters in the "Ring" bridge and Jal el Dib areas, demanding an end to road blocks imposed by protesters. This came after protesters apparently physically assaulted two people after suspecting them of being Hezbollah supporters.[183] The Hezbollah/Amal supporters burned civil society tents, trashed cars and caused damage to public and private property. The Lebanese army intervened with tear gas and flash grenades hours later, dispersing one of the most violent evenings since the beginning of the protests.[184][185]
25 November: At around noon, Hussein Chalhoub and his sister-in-law Sanaa al-Jundi died after their car hit a makeshift roadblock used by protesters to cut off access to the Jiyyeh highway. This inflamed tensions between protesters and pro-government Hezbollah/Amal Movement supporters.[6] Ján Kubiš, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, issued multiple statements on Twitter warning against escalating confrontation between protesters and Hezbollah/Amal Movement supporters.[186][187][188][189] Later in the afternoon, pro-government Hezbollah and Amal Movement supporters began roving around Beirut, Tyre and other cities on mopeds and motorbikes, shouting taunts and provocations at protesters. Some physical clashes ensued, and the confrontations continued to occur sporadically until later in the evening.[190][191]
26 November: Resigned Prime Minister Saad Hariri formally announced that he would not run again for the position.[192] Meanwhile, businessman Samir Khatib announced that he was "ready to form a new government", and seemed to accrue some level of endorsement from political parties.[193] President Michel Aoun announced that binding consultations to designate a new Prime Minister would be held on 28 November.[194] Overnight, clashes occurred all around Lebanon. In Baalbek, Hezbollah/Amal Movement supporters destroyed protester's tents and also their sound system.[195][196] In Bikfaya, Free Patriotic Movement (the party of sitting President Michel Aoun) supporters organized a protest in front of the home of former President Amin Gemayel. They clashed with Kataeb Party (Gemayel's party) supporters, which led to injuries and the destruction of private property until the Lebanese army intervened.[197][198] Clashes also occurred in Chyah and Ein Rummaneh. The Lebanese Red Cross claimed that dozens of people were injured including one female FPM activist injured to the head [199], while the Lebanese army said that at least 16 people were detained for their involvement in the clashes.[200]
27 November: Lebanon's Syndicate of Gas Station Owners announced that an open-ended strike would begin on 28 November due to the "size of the losses sustained by the sector due to the presence of two dollar [rates] in the Lebanese market."[201] Hundreds of Lebanese mothers led a "mother's march" in Chyah to protest against sectarian violence on 26 November between youths.[202]
28 November: Sources at the Lebanese Ministry of Finance claimed to local media that the Lebanese Central Bank was scheduled to repay US$1.5 billion in Eurobond debt which matures on 28 November, putting to rest speculation that Lebanon could default on its debt. However, Lebanon still has outstanding Eurobond debt due in 2020, and media sources noted that the path towards refinancing necessary to handle that debt is unclear without a cabinet.[203][204][205] A protest occurred in front of the Lebanese Central Bank and other government administrative and judiciary institutions.[206] Arab League ambassador Hossam Zaki formally expressed "readiness" to help solve the political and economic crisis in Lebanon for the first time since the beginning of the protests.[207]
Seventh week
29 November: Protests occurred in front of the Lebanese Central Bank and some other judiciary and administrative government buildings and institutions, with the aim of preventing public sector employees from entering these institutions.[208] Multiple media sources claimed that Hezbollah had asked President Michel Aoun to delay binding parliamentary consultations, which were scheduled for 28 November, under the hope that resigned Prime Minister Saad Hariri would revert his decision not to lead the next cabinet.[209][210]
Eighth week
3 December: Protestors gathered across the country in response to businessman Samir Khatib's nomination as possible new prime minister.[211] Several cases of suicide were being linked to deteriorating living conditions in Lebanon, most prominently the death of 40-year old Naji Fleity in Arsal. According to local media, Fleity committed suicide because he was unable to provide for his family after losing his job. His suicide sparked a large outcry of anger online.[212]
4 December: Protestors resumed blocking roads following politicians' apparent consensus on designating Samir Khatib as the next prime minister.[213]
Killing of Alaa Abou Fakhr
On the evening of 12 November, Alaa Abou Fakhr,[5] a Lebanese national, was shot and killed in Khalde at the ensuing protests. Abou Fakhr's death appeared to have been unprovoked, as he was unarmed and attending the protest with his wife and child. The Lebanese Army released a statement saying that his death occurred as an accident after a soldier fired shots purely with the intent to clear a path for an army convoy, and that the soldier had been referred to military court for a trial.[214][215] However, during Abou Fakhr's funeral ceremony the next day, his wife, who was present with Abou Fakhr during his shooting, claimed that he was killed by Lebanese military intelligence.[216] Abou Fakhr's death was the first to be caused by the Lebanese army.[217] A video circulating on social media appeared to show a plainclothes man who drove a civilian automobile shooting Abou Fakhr at close range.[218]
Abou Fakhr was a member of the Municipal Committee of Choueifat as a representative of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party. Walid Jumblatt, the party's leader, appeared among protesters to call for calm after mounting animosity towards the Lebanese army, urging that "the state is our only refuge or else we will descend into chaos".[219] Abou Fakhr's death triggered a substantial increase in protest activity, with reported clashes with army forces and additional roads being barricaded in protest. Tributes and candlelight vigils were held for Abou Fakhr across Lebanon and were attended by thousands of protesters, who came to perceive him as symbolizing a martyr for the revolutionary movement. Abou Fakhr's family received condolences from virtually every Lebanese political faction.[220]
On 13 November, the Lebanese Army announced that the suspected killer, First Adjutant Charbel Hjeil, had been referred to the military judiciary to await trial after the conclusion of the army's interrogation process.[221] A massive funeral procession was held in the evening with tens of thousands of attendees, with Abou Fakhr's coffin carried throughout Beirut.[222]
On 21 November, the Lebanese Army announced that First Adjutant Charbel Hjeil was charged with the murder of Alaa Abou Fakhr. The Colonel on the scene, Nidal Daou, also received unspecified charges. Sources claimed that Daou and Abou Fakhr were acquainted prior to the murder, implying a personal motive. The investigation was then slated to continue on 25 November.[223][224][225]
Analysis and reactions
Lina Khatib in Al Jazeera English argued that in contrast to the 2005 Cedar Revolution, in which support for the main sides of the political conflict were aligned with political parties and the Sunni–Shiite Muslim sociological and religious divide in Lebanon, the 2015–16 Lebanese protests started to include criticism of leaders within the anti-Hezbollah community. She said that the 2019 protests bypassed this sociological divide further, stating that they were "part of a genuine grassroots movement that has not been directed by any political party... cross-sectarian in a broader sense than those of 2015... [and] taking place across Lebanon, rather than only in Beirut." Khatib viewed the protests as an "existential threat" to the "Lebanese government and political elite" and a "revolution". She interpreted the 2019 society-wide nature of the protests as having their "seed" in the 2015–2016 protests.[8]
International reactions
- U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren – "I support the Lebanese people protesting and demanding their government take care of all of its people, not just the rich and powerful."[226]
- U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders – "The Arab Spring rose up to fight corruption, repression, inequality and austerity. The Lebanon and Iraq protests show this spirit is still very much alive."[227]
- Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei – "The people have justifiable demands, but they should know their demands can only be fulfilled within the legal structure and framework of their country."[228]
- Spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada Barbara Harvey – "Canada calls on all Lebanese parties and leaders to reject violence and encourage a peaceful and timely transition to a new government, which respects and responds to the will of the Lebanese people."[229]
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian – "Prime Minister Hariri resigned a few moments ago, which in a way makes the crisis even more serious. [...] Lebanon’s stability depends on willingness to listen to people and their demands."[230]
- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo – "The Iraqi and Lebanese people want their countries back. They are discovering that the Iranian regime’s top export is corruption, badly disguised as revolution. Iraq and Lebanon deserve to set their own courses free from Khamenei's meddling."[231]
See also
- 2015–16 Lebanese protests
- Politics of Lebanon
- 2019 Chilean protests for similar protests
- 2019 Iraqi protests for similar protests
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{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ "Five released after arrest for tearing down FPM banner". The Daily Star. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
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- ^ جنبلاط من امام المستشفى لمناصري الاشتراكي حطّوها فيي وما النا ملجأ الا الدولة ، والاّ نذهب الى الفوض [Jumblatt Speaks to Supporters in Front of Hospital: "Believe me when I say we have no refuge other than the state, or else we will descend into chaos"]. Lebanon: Al Jadeed. 12 November 2019.
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- ^ @SenSanders (22 October 2019). "The Arab Spring rose up to fight corruption, repression, inequality and austerity. The Lebanon and Iraq protests show this spirit is still very much alive. If we want a progressive future, we need to build up a global movement of and for working people" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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