Middle East

Lebanon’s protesters shut parliament by blocking lawmakers

Tuesday's parliamentary session was delayed indefinitely "in light of the current extraordinary circumstances," according to a statement by Adnan Daher, the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives. This is the second time demonstrators have forced the Lebanese parliament to cancel a session since Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced his resignation at the end of October. Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Lebanon since October 17 with protesters demanding an end to government corruption. The parliamentary meeting was scheduled to discuss a general amnesty law that several protest groups suspect could be exploited by the country's political elite to absolve themselves of financial crimes. Lebanese lawmakers, who normally arrive at parliament in large motorcades, maneuvered through angry crowds on Tuesday. In one video, Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar is seen trying to walk past protesters, who ultimately blocked his passage. In another video, the same MP is seen trying to access Parliament Square on the back of a moped. A Lebanese protester holds a national flag as she chants during a demonstration at Riad al-Solh square, Beirut, on Tuesday.Other videos showed gunfire as a motorcade tried to disperse a crowd of protesters near parliament. It is unclear who was in the car. "They tried to break the will of the people with this parliamentary session. We refuse this. That's why we're here today," protester Danny Farah told CNN. "Our dignity is more important than anything else." Iran's 'largest internet shutdown ever' is happening now. Here's what you need to knowProtesters have been filling the streets of Lebanon's urban centers for around a month, frequently forcing road closures along the country's major routes. Banks have been closed for most of the period, as the country's political and economic crises have deepened. Lebanon's currency, the lira, has come under increasing pressure in recent months. Earlier this month, the World Bank warned that the country's poverty rates could rise from around 33% to 50%. Last week, Lebanon's Association of Banks imposed a withdrRead More – Source

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