Lebanese take to the streets as the pound sinks to a record low against the dollar
A demonstrator gestures as he stands on a motorbike during a protest against fall in Lebanese pound currency and mounting economic hardship, in Beirut, Lebanon on June 11, 2020
The pound slid to about 5,000 to the dollar on Thursday and has lost 70 percent of its value since October, when Lebanon descended into a financial crisis seen as the biggest threat to stability since the 1975-90 civil war. From the northern city of Tripoli to the southern city of Sidon, Lebanese chanted against the political elite and set fire to major roadways across the country in the most widespread unrest since a coronavirus lockdown imposed in mid-March.Protesters in Tripoli, Lebanon's second-biggest city, threw petrol bombs at a central bank building, setting it ablaze and prompting security forces to fire tear gas, according to witnesses.
"Thief, thief, Riad Salame is a thief!" demonstrators chanted, referring to the governor of the central bank.Demonstrators also chanted slogans of national unity, after sectarian clashes shook Beirut during protests last weekend."People have no work, no food to eat. They cannot buy medicines, nappies or milk for their children."
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