Category: Lebanon

The revolt began on October 17, 2019, after a tax proposal on the use of Whatsapp and a general tax increase were discussed within the government as the country went through a major economic crisis.  Demands are growing rapidly and the Lebanese people are demanding a true rule of law, free of corruption and social justice.   The demonstrators began by blocking the main roads of Beirut on the night of 17-18 October, then the movement gradually spread throughout the country. The Lebanese president proposed several solutions and even decided on a cabinet reshuffle in January 2020, but the movement continues. On August 4, 2020, the explosion of the port of Beirut accentuates the anger of the Lebanese towards their government, considered in part to be responsible for the explosion due to their mismanagement of the country (negligence).  4 days after the explosion, the demonstrators invade 2 ministries: the Ministry of Economy they will occupy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which will end up in ashes. In the evening, the government resigned again, and the Prime Minister announced that an early election would be held. To this day, the Lebanese are still waiting for these elections. The economic situation is more terrible than ever since accentuated by the health crisis : it now takes more than 22,000 Lebanese pounds to make an American dollar on the black market. Plunged into absolute misery, the Lebanese people do not seem ready to stop the movement.