Manipulation of Lebanon national currency aimed at political objectives: Hezbollah MP

A lawmaker from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has warned against the financial crisis in the cash-strapped country, stating that the crisis is being exploited for political purposes.

On Sunday, Hassan Fadlallah said “playing this card [of financial crisis] will not lead to our surrender,” calling on caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri and the governor of Lebanon’s Central Bank, Riad Salameh, to address the devaluation of the Lebanese pound against major currencies.

He noted that some officials are still treading a wrong path, irrespective of the mass protests movement in the country and the demonstrators’ demands.

PressTV-Banks reopen in Lebanon as life gets back to normal

For the first time in two weeks, banks in Lebanon have reopened following an unprecedented wave of protests.

Fadlallah then called for the abolition of the constitutional and parliamentary impunity in order to enable the judiciary to try those involved in corruption.

On Saturday, Lebanon’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian called for the formation of a new emergency government of technical experts, urging authorities to meet demonstrators’ demands, as a mass protest movement calling for an overhaul of the country's political system approached its fourth week.

“The time has come and is opportune, after this national wake-up call, for the reform process to begin and for those in power to form an emergency national government made up of competent people, without delay to immediately proceed with carrying out the reform package prepared by (caretaker) Prime Minister (Saad) Hariri to solve the country's problems,” Derian said in his message to the nation on the eve of the birthday anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.

PressTV-Lebanon grand mufti urges formation of emergency govt.

Lebanon's grand mufti has called for the formation of an emergency national government, and the ruling elite to meet the protesters' demands.

Hariri submitted his resignation to President Michel Aoun on October 29.

Under the constitution, Hariri’s cabinet would stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.

The protests began on October 17 when the government proposed imposing a tax on Whatsapp calls, along with other austerity measures.

Protesters in Lebanon have stopped blocking roads and setting up barricades, and instead shifted to holding sit-ins at state-affiliated sites.

They say they will maintain pressure on the political establishment until their demands for the departure of the ruling elite and an end to chronic economic mismanagement and corruption are met.

PressTV-Protesters block roads as Lebanon reels under unrest

Protesters have blockaded major roads in Lebanon, defying pleas from top leaders who have warned of a new civil war in the country. 

Growth in Lebanon has plummeted in the wake of endless political deadlocks and an economic crisis in recent years.

The country hosts 1.5 million Syrian refugees, and their presence is often blamed for putting pressure on the already struggling economy.

Unemployment stands at more than 20 percent, according to official figures.

The Lebanese Finance Ministry says the national debt is hovering around $85 billion, which accounts for more than 150 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Successive governments have failed to address a waste management crisis or improve the electricity grid, which is plagued by daily power cuts.

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