08 Nov 2019 | 02:40 PM UTC

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

TIMEFRAME expected from 11/6/2019, 12:00 AM until 11/9/2019, 11:59 PM (Asia/Beirut). COUNTRY/REGION Beirut, Sidon

Read all related news alert(s):

06 Dec 11:36 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Additional protests reported in Beirut December 6 /update 44

04 Dec 03:38 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Protesters obstruct roads across country as demonstrations continue December 4 /update 43

02 Dec 10:30 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide protests continue as petrol stations remain closed December 1 /update 42

29 Nov 11:52 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Sit-in protests reported in Beirut November 29 /update 41

27 Nov 07:22 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Petrol stations to launch indefinite strike November 28 /update 40

27 Nov 10:02 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Warnings of medical shortages amid third day of violence November 27 /update 39

26 Nov 11:39 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Groups call for general strike November 28-30 following violence in Beirut /update 38

25 Nov 02:07 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Protesters clash with security forces ahead of general strike November 25 /update 37

22 Nov 07:44 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Protesters gather in Beirut for Independence Day November 22 /update 36

21 Nov 10:12 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide student protests November 21 /update 35

19 Nov 09:18 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Clashes reported near Parliament in Beirut November 19 /update 34

18 Nov 07:21 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Banks to reopen November 19 following week-long closure /update 33

18 Nov 11:50 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Protests continue nationwide November 18 /update 32

15 Nov 09:24 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Fresh protests reported in Saida and Beirut November 15 /update 31

13 Nov 10:38 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Further protests expected in Beirut and Baabda November 13 /update 30

12 Nov 10:20 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide disruptions amid protests November 12 /update 29

11 Nov 05:48 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide protests continue November 10 /update 28

09 Nov 10:25 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Protests continue in Beirut and Tripoli November 9 /update 27

07 Nov 11:07 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Protests reported in Beirut November 7 /update 25

06 Nov 10:49 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide protests reported November 6 /update 24

05 Nov 11:31 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Roadblocks reported amid nationwide protests November 5 /update 23

04 Nov 10:35 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Additional nationwide protests expected November 4 /update 22

03 Nov 03:30 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Rally in support of President Aoun in Baabda November 3 /update 21

31 Oct 10:48 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Road closures reported nationwide amid protests October 31 /update 20

31 Oct 05:06 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Banks to reopen November 1 /update 19

29 Oct 02:28 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Prime Minister Hariri announces resignation October 29 /update 18

29 Oct 05:01 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Banks to remain closed October 29 /update 17

28 Oct 10:00 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Further nationwide disruptions expected October 28 /update 16

26 Oct 02:25 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Clashes reported in Tripoli amid ongoing nationwide protests October 26 /update 15

25 Oct 02:50 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Clashes break out between protesters and security forces in Beirut October 25 /update 14

24 Oct 05:32 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide protests continue October 24 /update 13

24 Oct 09:57 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide protests expected October 24 /update 12

23 Oct 09:44 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Further nationwide disruptions expected October 23 /update 11

22 Oct 09:08 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Roadblocks reported amid nationwide protests October 22 /update 10

21 Oct 08:29 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Thousands participate in nationwide general strike October 21 /update 9

21 Oct 08:07 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide road closures amid ongoing protests October 21 /update 8

21 Oct 03:24 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide business disruptions expected October 21 /update 7

20 Oct 06:21 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide anti-government protests continue October 20 /update 6

19 Oct 02:39 PM UTC —

Lebanon: One fatality amid nationwide protests October 19 /update 5

19 Oct 01:01 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Fresh protests reported nationwide October 19 /update 4

19 Oct 02:59 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Nationwide protests continue amid 72-hour government deadline October 19 /update 3

18 Oct 06:48 PM UTC —

Lebanon: Significant transportation disruptions reported amid nationwide protests October 18 /update 2

18 Oct 08:34 AM UTC —

Lebanon: Fresh protests reported nationwide October 18 /update 1

18 Oct 01:07 AM UTC —

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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