Thousands of demonstrators poured into Lebanon's streets on Saturday for a third day of anti-government protests, directing growing rage at a political elite they blame for driving the country to the economic brink. In central Beirut, the mood was fiery and festive with protesters of all ages waving flags and chanting for revolution outside upmarket retailers and banks that had their storefronts smashed in by some rogue rioters the night before. From the south to the east and north of Lebanon, protesters marched, blocked roads, burned tires to keep the momentum going despite gunmen loyal to Shiite Muslim Amal movement appearing with heavy guns to scare them away. In the afternoon, patriotic songs blared from loudspeakers in Beirut and fireworks exploded over a sea of people dancing and singing, holding banners reading "unite against corrupt politicians". "This country is moving toward total collapse. This regime has failed to lead Lebanon and it must be toppled and replaced," said Mohammad Awada, 32, who is unemployed. The latest unrest erupted out of anger over the rising cost of living and new tax plans, including a fee on WhatsApp calls, which was quickly retracted after protests — the biggest in decades — broke out. Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri gave his government partners a 72-hour deadline on Friday to agree on reforms that could ward off economic crisis, hinting he may otherwise resign. In a televised speech addressing the protests on Saturday, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said the group opposed the government's resignation, and that the country did not have enough time for such a move given the acute financial crisis. "Everyone should take responsibility rather than being preoccupied with settling political scores while leaving the fate of the country unknown," he said. "All of us have to shoulder the responsibility of the current situation that we arrived at," added Nasrallah, whose Iranian-backed Shiite group is Lebanon's most influential. The protests that swept villages and towns across Lebanon on Friday recalled the 2011 Arab revolts that toppled four presidents. Lebanese from all religious sects waved banners and chanted in unison: "The people want the downfall of the regime." The Hezbollah leader said he recognized that the protests were "honest and spontaneous" but warned that his heavily-armed and powerful group, which backed Christian President Michel Aoun to come to power, would not permit his downfall. In southern Lebanon, Amal militiamen loyal to parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri attacked peaceful demonstrators who tore his posters and chanted slogans denouncing him as corrupt. They prevented TV crews from filming the protests. In the speech, Nasrallah predicted that imposing more taxes would lead to an "explosion" of unrest. "If we don't work towards a solution we're heading towards a collapse of the country, it will be bankrupt and our currency will not have any value," he said. "The second danger is a popular explosion as a result of wrong handling of the situation." In the southern port city of Tyre protesters filled the streets. "I am taking part because over the last 30 years warlords have been ruling us. I am about to be 30 and my parents still tell me tomorrow will be better. I am not seeing better days ahead," said Sylvia Yaqoub, 29, a laboratory manager. "We want back the money they stole because 30 families are ruling five million people. We won't accept this any longer." The government, comprising nearly all Lebanon's main parties, has pledged no new taxes as it seeks to finalize a 2020 budget. The budget could help it unlock billions of dollars pledged by international donors who have conditioned their support on long-delayed reforms to curb waste and corruption. On Friday night, police rounded up protesters, firing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse riots in Beirut that grew violent as the night wore on, leaving gutted streets looking like a battlezone, strewn with glass and debris. Lebanon's internal security apparatus said 52 police were injured on Friday and its forces arrested 70 people. — Reuters
