Lebanon entered its fourth day of protests on Saturday with thousands rallying across the country in the past two days, in the largest demonstration the country has seen since 2015. The protests could further destabilise a country whose economy is already on the verge of collapse and has one of the highest debt loads in the world.
Young people, as with many of the global protests taking hold today, are at the forefront. Their technology and social media savvy means every twist and turn of the uprising has been shared online.
Here are some of the best tweets on the situation.
Why are Lebanese people protesting?
In #Lebanon the protesters continue throughout the night for the 3rd day running.
— Hala Jaber (@HalaJaber) October 19, 2019
More than 1million thronged downtown #Beirut 2nite, with song & dance, unanimous under 1 banner - to gold the corrupt, nepotistic political regime accountable for mismanagement & misappropriation. pic.twitter.com/Q1KLQlMZJv
Thread: Lebanon's protests can largely be explained by the extremely high levels of inequality in the country. Key facts about inequality in Lebanon based on recent research by the World Inequality Lab (@WIL_inequality):
— Lydia Assouad (@lydia_assouad) October 19, 2019
1. The top 1% richest adults receives approximately a quarter of the total national income, placing Lebanon among the most unequal countries in the World pic.twitter.com/xwFsohQWZ6
— Lydia Assouad (@lydia_assouad) October 19, 2019
First of all, let's start with an explanation of what's going on. It all began with a reaction to government plans to tax the public for using WhatsApp, but this has widened into protests against systemic inequality, a failing economy and corruption. Economist Lydia Assouad shared her thoughts in a Twitter thread.
What do they want?
Protesters say they have had enough of endless electricity cuts, what they say is crippling nepotism, and, in Beirut, the looming spectre of rubbish dumps brimming almost full.
They say they are tired of struggling to make ends meet in an ailing economy, and a lack of job opportunities that sends many graduates fleeing abroad.
Lebanon's public debt stands at more than $86 billion (Dh316bn), according to the finance ministry — one of the highest in the world.
The World Bank says more than a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line.
A night of violence and damage...
Clashes are still happening in downtown #Beirut. Apparently the decision was made just after #SaadHariri speech! Violence is not the answer, and it will not make the people leave the streets! #Lebanon #لبنان_ينتفض pic.twitter.com/Y3xmoLvR0N
— Abir Ghattas (@AbirGhattas) October 18, 2019
The protests were marked at first by destruction and violence in the capital Beirut and other cities. Windows and shopfronts of a new development near Martyrs' Square were kicked in, fires were lit and demonstrators scuffled with police.
...followed by a festive atmosphere
Thousands of people gather for biggest demo yet in martyr's Square in Beirut. Super festive ambiance #protests pic.twitter.com/qRltak8mSo
— Sunniva Rose (@Sunniva_Rose) October 19, 2019
طرابلس❤️ pic.twitter.com/tR8h9qlRhT
— NicoleHajal (@NicoleHajal) October 19, 2019
However, as the protests wore on into a third day, a more festive atmosphere took over.
#ثورة_الفرح ❤️❤️ #لبنان_ينتفض pic.twitter.com/ZQJCyv5I48
— الثورة اللبنانية🇱🇧 (@thawralebanon) October 19, 2019
Thank You for helping us in saving lives! pic.twitter.com/QLyq19TGHS
— Lebanese Red Cross (@RedCrossLebanon) October 19, 2019
Demonstrators even helped to clean up the mess others had made on Sunday morning.
Protesters cleaning the streets #LebanonProtests #LebanonUprising pic.twitter.com/wfol16O4NA
— Fadi Anton (@fadiantounn) October 20, 2019
Tripoli turns into a nightclub
You have to watch this , protesters in Tripoli turning the demonstration into a big party with a DJ and singing a song that goes “ Yala Bye” as in “ Come on leave “ referring to the politicians #Lebanon #LebanonUprising pic.twitter.com/OK1lAz3Ym5
— Dalal Mawadدلال معوض (@dalalmawad) October 19, 2019
Demonstrators showed little sign of slowing down on Saturday evening. In clips shared online, crowds could be seen lifting their phones into the air and dancing as music blared in the northern city of Tripoli. In other towns and cities a jovial atmosphere was reported as young people sang in the street.
Baby Shark
Protesters were blocking the road a mum told them she wanted to pass because her baby was afraid.
— Rachel R. (@RachelleRashid) October 19, 2019
This is what they did 😂
Our people are the best!#Lebanon #ThatsHowWeProtest pic.twitter.com/CI7NX545dq
As protesters blocked the streets of Beirut, some cars became trapped. According to this tweet, a mother and her child were treated to a rendition of popular children's song Baby Shark by some demonstrators. Just one example of the jovial atmosphere on Saturday evening.
Non-sectarian and non-factional
Thousands are in Martyr Square for a third night of protests in #Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/QxiEGzNlhx
— Willy Lowry (@willy_lowry) October 19, 2019
Look at this, we’re ONE 🇱🇧♥️ #Lebanon pic.twitter.com/wvLvBZtaVd
— Joelle Chamas 🇱🇧 (@ChamasJoelle) October 18, 2019
The National's Willy Lowry notes the lack of political party flags, and the abundance of the red, white and green Lebanese flag. People from all religious and political backgrounds have joined the protests, many saying they would remain on the streets until the government resigned.
Solidarity around the world
#lebanonprotest in London Now!
— Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) October 19, 2019
"Lebanese singing the national anthem in London in solidarity with the protesters in Lebanon. that’s beautiful."
The protesters condemned Hizbollah militants use of extensive violence in #Tyre Sour City south Lebanon.#لبنان_ينتفض#امجد_طه https://t.co/xv6AH5rUDm
In cities including London, Melbourne and Washington DC, Lebanese people and their sympathisers also took to the streets to demand change.
Symbolism
Yep, we're seeing a lot of joker symbolism. It's written: "it's time for accountability"
— joey ayoub #endKafala (@joeyayoub) October 19, 2019
(also sounds better in Arabic)
Artist: Nouri Flayhan. Follow her work on Instagramhttps://t.co/KILJt1pI4S pic.twitter.com/fdd6jRe1wl
Revolution through Solidarity NOT Violence!#revolution #solidarity #lebanon #beirut #notviolence #noguns #flowers #gunsvsflowers https://t.co/ZVFk3s7gNN pic.twitter.com/GwSwJjZ73s
— Chris (@ChrisFernezian) October 19, 2019
Artists are already putting their spin on the protests, and an unusual pop culture figure has featured prominently — the Joker from the Batman comic and film franchise.
What's next?
Thread on #LebanonProtests :#Lebanon's ruling class has survived previous popular challenges by waiting out protests (with no shame about governance failures) and using violence & repression against challengers. 1/10
— Thanassis Cambanis (@tcambanis) October 18, 2019
Thanassis Cambanis, an analyst at The Century Foundation, laid out his thoughts on what will happen next, and he sees reason to hope for better in the future.
الرئيس عون أمام زواره: سيكون هناك حل مطمئن للأزمة
— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) October 19, 2019
Lebanon's finance minister said on Saturday after a meeting with Prime Minister Saad Hariri that they had agreed on a final budget that did not include any additional taxes or fees in a bid to appease nationwide protests.
Lebanon President Michel Aoun said in a tweet that there would be a "reassuring solution" to the economic crisis.