ALBAWABA - Hundreds of Lebanese protested Wednesday against deteriorating economic conditions in the country.
Lebanese security forces fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, who attempted to break through a fence leading to the Grand Serail in downtown Beirut on Wednesday.
In #Beirut, #Lebanon, retired military personnel are staging protests amid the continuous depreciation of the Lebanese Lira. pic.twitter.com/4efOX9aYve
— Newsistaan (@newsistaan) March 22, 2023
People who participated in the protests were retired soldiers, who staged rallies against the continuous depreciation of the Lebanese pound, which lost 97 percent of its value since Lebanon's economic crisis began nearly eight years ago.
In Wednesday's demonstration, a protester shouted: "My monthly salary is $40. How can I survive."
Protesters complained that their low income could not cover basic expenses.
Beirut, Lebanon: as the Lebanese Lira continues to lose value, retired military personnel demonstrate. pic.twitter.com/SVulwciy8X
— Glynis Filyaw (@GlynisFilyaw) March 22, 2023
Videos and photos shared online showed people running away after security forces showered the protesters with tear gas cannisters in the capital city Beirut.
Two days ago, the Lebanese pound reached its lowest value, trading at 100,000 against the U.S. dollar on the black market.
