Lebanon: Student protests in Beirut and Saida November 8 /update 26

Students gather in Beirut and Saida on November 8; heightened security and associated disruptions expected
Read all related news alert(s):
Lebanon: Additional protests reported in Beirut December 6 /update 44
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Lebanon: Nationwide protests continue as petrol stations remain closed December 1 /update 42
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Lebanon: Petrol stations to launch indefinite strike November 28 /update 40
Lebanon: Warnings of medical shortages amid third day of violence November 27 /update 39
Lebanon: Groups call for general strike November 28-30 following violence in Beirut /update 38
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Lebanon: Nationwide student protests November 21 /update 35
Lebanon: Clashes reported near Parliament in Beirut November 19 /update 34
Lebanon: Banks to reopen November 19 following week-long closure /update 33
Lebanon: Protests continue nationwide November 18 /update 32
Lebanon: Fresh protests reported in Saida and Beirut November 15 /update 31
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Lebanon: Nationwide protests reported November 6 /update 24
Lebanon: Roadblocks reported amid nationwide protests November 5 /update 23
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Lebanon: Rally in support of President Aoun in Baabda November 3 /update 21
Lebanon: Road closures reported nationwide amid protests October 31 /update 20
Lebanon: Banks to reopen November 1 /update 19
Lebanon: Prime Minister Hariri announces resignation October 29 /update 18
Lebanon: Banks to remain closed October 29 /update 17
Lebanon: Further nationwide disruptions expected October 28 /update 16
Lebanon: Clashes reported in Tripoli amid ongoing nationwide protests October 26 /update 15
Lebanon: Clashes break out between protesters and security forces in Beirut October 25 /update 14
Lebanon: Nationwide protests continue October 24 /update 13
Lebanon: Nationwide protests expected October 24 /update 12
Lebanon: Further nationwide disruptions expected October 23 /update 11
Lebanon: Roadblocks reported amid nationwide protests October 22 /update 10
Lebanon: Thousands participate in nationwide general strike October 21 /update 9
Lebanon: Nationwide road closures amid ongoing protests October 21 /update 8
Lebanon: Nationwide business disruptions expected October 21 /update 7
Lebanon: Nationwide anti-government protests continue October 20 /update 6
Lebanon: One fatality amid nationwide protests October 19 /update 5
Lebanon: Fresh protests reported nationwide October 19 /update 4
Lebanon: Nationwide protests continue amid 72-hour government deadline October 19 /update 3
Lebanon: Significant transportation disruptions reported amid nationwide protests October 18 /update 2
Lebanon: Fresh protests reported nationwide October 18 /update 1
Lebanon: Protests breakout nationwide October 17
Event
Students have gathered in Beirut and Saida as of Friday, November 8, to denounce tax increases and perceived government corruption. In Beirut, protesters have gathered outside the Lebanese University and have called for a general strike and the closure of the university until the formation of a new government is announced. In Saida, students have staged protests outside government institutions and banks, including the Bank of Lebanon Saida branch.
The Association of Banks in Lebanon announced that banks will be closed across the country on Saturday, November 9, and Monday, November 11, to observe the Mulud religious holiday, which marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
Heightened security measures and disruptions to transportation and businesses are to be expected in major urban centers over the coming days as protests continue. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
On October 16-17, the government approved tax hikes on tobacco products as part of its 2020 federal budget, as well as a daily 20 percent for messages and calls done via the WhatsApp mobile phone messenger application. The announcement sparked mass protests across the country on October 17, forcing the government to revoke the tax proposal. Since then, protests have evolved calling for the resignation of the government and have continued despite an emergency reform package announced by Prime Minister Saad Hariri on October 21. The packages include a reduction to government officials' salaries, a plan to privatize the telecommunications sector, and a proposed overhaul of the electricity sector. Dozens of activists have been killed, and several hundred protesters and security forces wounded in the protests. On October 29, Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation.
Advice
Individuals in Lebanon are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate transportation and business disruptions, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.
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