The demonstrations caused by the financial crisis, which, in turn, was the result of actions of the government fighting the pandemic, are today all over Lebanon. Protesters blocked roads in Beirut and the port of Tripoli in the North of the country. In Saida, in southern Lebanon, the protesters threw Molotov cocktails and stones at the office of the Central Bank. Protests and marches escalated into clashes with the Lebanese army, according to Arab media.
The head of the Central Bank Riad salame, who the protesters believe to be the main culprit of the crisis, his guilt in the ongoing economic crisis denies, claiming that he is "a systematic campaign". In recent days the attacks on the head of the Central Bank were committed by the government. For example, Prime Minister Hassan Diab criticized the Salaam, it is reported, the Agency Sky News Arabia.
We will remind that Riad salamé holds the post of head of the Central Bank of Lebanon since 1993. In his own defense Wednesday salame made in a televised address to the nation in which he accused the government of inciting "an unprecedented financial crisis".
"the Central Bank has provided financial support to the state, but someone just spent money," said Salaam in his address.
Notably, as commented by the economic crisis in Lebanon, representatives of the state Department. Assistant Secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker told reporters that Lebanon needs "to demonstrate their willingness to reform to receive assistance from the international community". Schenker also defended Salaam, saying that the practice of the Lebanese Central Bank is no different from the practices of other financial institutions. He also reminded the government that it is necessary to implement reforms in the sectors of electricity and telecommunications and to start collecting customs duties and other taxes. At the same time, Schenker had forgotten that many Lebanese today, officially unemployed, and collect taxes from them will not be easy.
Nevertheless, the new government headed by Prime Minister Hassan Diab has expressed its willingness to receive foreign funding to conduct a "long-awaited" reforms.
