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Renewed Violence Hits Lebanon Amid Ongoing Economic Crisis

Dale Gavlak

   AMMAN, JORDAN - Protesters in Lebanon have again taken to the streets
   amid an economy in tatters and political disagreements over the
   creation of a new government. Late Tuesday, demonstrators destroyed
   bank windows, burned tires, blocked roads, and clashed with army and
   internal security forces, who responded by firing tear gas and rubber
   bullets.

   Public anger has reached a boiling point as Lebanon's banks impose
   capital controls on foreign currency accounts in response to the
   plummeting local currency. The lira plunged to 2,500 against the
   dollar, compared with the official exchange rate of 1,515. The banks
   have turned away irate Lebanese trying to access their deposits.

   Habib Malik, professor at the Lebanese American University, blames
   Shi'ite militant groups Hezbollah and Amal for the violence. He says at
   least two of the men involved in the bank attacks declared their
   allegiance to the groups on television.

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