Angry crowds in Lebanon set fire to a government building late Thursday as frustration over strict pandemic restrictions collided with one of the world's worst economic crises. The protests erupted in Beirut amid a nationwide lockdown that residents say exacerbates already dire living conditions.
Lebanon's currency has lost over 90% of its value since 2019, with basic goods now out of reach for many. \"We're being crushed between COVID rules and empty wallets,\" said one resident participating in the demonstration, who asked to remain anonymous.
Officials extended the full lockdown through February 14 as hospitals report oxygen shortages and record case numbers. The World Bank estimates Lebanon's GDP collapsed by 20.3% in 2020, ranking the crisis among the planet's worst since 1850.
The unrest highlights growing global tensions between public health measures and economic survival, particularly in developing nations. Similar pandemic-related protests have occurred recently in the Netherlands, India, and South Africa.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
