Protests ignited in Beirut and across Lebanon on Tuesday evening as the Lebanese pound dropped to 9,975 to the dollar, a record low since an economic crisis began in October 2019.
Small-scale demonstrations began across Lebanon's capital, with hundreds of people demanding government action to restore financial security.
In the city centre near Al Amine Mosque, young men lit tyres and banged scaffolding with rocks to show their anger.
Passing scooters sounded their horns, reminiscent of the height of the protests against the government in 2019.
The pound, also referred to as the lira, is officially pegged at 1,500 to the dollar. It has steadily fallen in the past 18 months, losing more than 80 per cent of its market value.
Salaries are unchanged but the prices of basic goods, most of them imported in dollars, have shot up, pushing more than half of the Lebanese population into poverty, UN data shows.
Roy, 27, a schoolteacher, said the protests could intensify. He said his salary had been hugely devalued in recent months.
"The situation is very bad, very, very bad," Roy said. "I would like to see our political organisations fall down and see a new political organisation come to rule and let us see a plan.
"We cannot continue like this."
Protests also occurred in northern Tripoli, southern Saida, in Qornayel and the Bhamdoun villages in the Mount Lebanon governorate.
Salah Naous, 25, a master's student in economics, said the situation had become "beyond catastrophic".
"Deep inside I want to leave, but I do believe that it's not the right solution," Mr Naous said.
"If all the youth leave this country and don't put their hands together to vote for a new authority, there won't be any change, not now, not ever."
Earlier on Tuesday before the protests began, The National spoke to members of the public struggling to make ends meet as the currency continues to plummet and other economic woes batter their lives.
Before the problems began, retired civil servant Alaa, 74, told The National his pension, once worth $1,000, is now equal to about $100, barely enough for his groceries.
"If I wasn't a homeowner with my kids supporting me, I would be begging for food on the streets," Alaa told The National.
Sparked by shortages in foreign currency and decades of corruption and economic mismanagement, the crisis has deepened as politicians fail to enact reforms required by global lenders, such as the International Monetary Fund.
The minimum wage in Lebanon, set at 675,000 pounds ($445 at the official rate), is now worth about $67 on the parallel market.
People are starving and our politicians only care about themselves
Social media users have taken to Twitter to vent their frustrations.
The hashtag "Lebanon Is Not OK" was the number one trend on the platform on Tuesday.
Inflation weighs heaviest on the poor.
Mohamed Abdel Karim, a Syrian concierge, said on Tuesday afternoon that he dreamt of leaving Lebanon after having escaped war at home.
"My salary was worth $600, now it's equal to $90," said Mr Abdel Karim, 46.
"I have nine kids, and the prices of goods are going up. How am I supposed to feed my family?"
He said that half of the Lebanese families living in the building where he worked had left the country.
"Life has become impossible," Mr Abdel Karim said.
Yet impending economic doom has been met with political inaction.
The country has been run by a caretaker government since last August, when prime minister Hassan Diab resigned after a blast struck Beirut, killing more than 200 people and destroying large parts of the capital.
Political disputes over sectarian seats in the next Cabinet have halted government formation despite a severe economic crisis.
"People are starving and our politicians only care about themselves," said Mohamed, 28, an employee at a perfume shop in Beirut.
Mohamed said the strict coronavirus lockdown introduced in January compounded an already dire financial situation.
Shop owners did not receive compensation for closing their stores and customers were scarce.
"It's only going to get worse," he said.
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Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The%20specs
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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Result
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,950m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Adam McLean, Doug Watson.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,950m; Winner: Conclusion, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh100,000 1,400m; Winner: Pilgrim’s Treasure, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m; Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,000m; Winner: Midlander, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
RESULTS
Men
1 Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04:04
2 Abraham Kiptum (KEN) 2:04:16
3 Dejene Debela Gonfra (ETH) 2:07:06
4 Thomas Rono (KEN) 2:07:12
5 Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:09:18
Women
1 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:16
2 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 2:20:54
3 Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:24:07
4 Chaltu Tafa (ETH) 2:25:09
5 Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:29:14
Results
2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Arrab, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mahaleel, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
3.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum handicap (TB) Dh200,000 2,000m; Winner: Dolmen, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Amang Alawda, Sandro Paiva, Bakhit Al Ketbi.
4.15pm: The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m; Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
4.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: Al Jazi, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
