Lebanon: Police clash with protesters in Beirut and Tripoli June 13 /update 115

Event

Police clashed with protesters staging anti-government demonstrations in Beirut and Tripoli on Saturday, June 13, for the third consecutive night. In Beirut, protesters blocked a road in the vicinity of the Grand Serail with burning tires. In Tripoli, protesters set fire to tires in Al-Nour square and damaged a municipal office, and a bank office. Demonstrators in Tripoli also scuffled with police when they attempted to block the passage of trucks carrying goods to Syria, and police fired rubber bullets to disperse them. Protesters also set fire to an army guard post on Syria street. A demonstration occurred in Sidon (South province) and in Barja (Mount Lebanon province), where protester staged a sit-in and blocked a road near the town hall.

On Saturday, June 13, the government backtracked on a decision to sack the governor of Lebanon's Central Bank, Riad Salameh, who protesters accuse of having encouraged state borrowing that they believe benefited only the banking and political elite. This could lead to further unrest in the immediate term.

Further unrest is anticipated on Sunday, June 14, when protesters are set to gather at 17:00 (local time) at Martyrs' Square in Beirut. Demonstrations in other areas of the country cannot be ruled out.

Context 

Recent protests have been denouncing ongoing economic hardship in Lebanon, the fall in the value of the Lebanese pound, and the government's handling of the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Advice

Individuals in Lebanon are advised to monitor developments, avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings, anticipate a heightened security presence near protest sites, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.