Martyr Ahmad Tawfiq succumbs to his wounds
- The protester Ahmad Tawfiq passed away, 3 months after being shot in the stomach on November 26 during a crackdown by the army on protests in Gemmayzat in Tripoli.
- Protesters blocked the roads in Bahsas and Nour Square in Tripoli, in Bar Elias in the Bekaa, and in Beirut's Ring Bridge to express outrage and show solidarity with Tawfiq.
Iran's Shura Council Speaker Ali Larijani in Lebanon
- Marking the first visit of a foreign official in Lebanon since the government's formation, Iran's Shura Council Speaker Ali Larijani met with President Michel Aoun, Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Hassan Diab, as well as Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah.
- In a press conference at the Iranian embassy of Beirut, Larijani noted that Iran is prepared to cooperate with Lebanon on electricity and medicine provision, but they "will not hold anyone to this matter."
- Larijani also reiterated Iran's support for Hezbollah, which he described as "a significant capital for neighboring Lebanon."
Minister of Tourism meets Union of Travel and Tourism Offices
- Minister of Tourism Ramzi Moucharafieh met with a delegation of the Union of Travel and Tourism Offices Monday morning to discuss the ticket pricing crisis. The minister assured the delegation that he will endeavor to standardize airline ticket prices in Lebanese pounds.
- This meeting came on the heels of Middle East Airlines (MEA) decision on Sunday to sell airline tickets exclusively in US dollars starting Monday. Upon hearing the news, citizens lined up outside MEA's travel office to purchase tickets in Lebanese Pounds. The company later reversed its decision upon the intervention of President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab.
Protests against the Central Bank and electricity rationing
- Several protesters stormed the Electricité du Liban branch in Halba and switched on the electricity for neighboring villages due to the constant rationing. They also closed branches of Ogero and the Ministry of Labor.
- In Beirut, protesters demonstrated outside the Central Bank while BDL Governor Riad Salameh met with the Banks Association. The protesters denounced the bank's arbitrary policies before marching in Hamra.
- After meeting with the Grand Mufti Abdellatif Derian in Dar al-Fatwa, Interior Minister Mohamed Fahmy announced that he would continue to protect peaceful protesters, calling it his "human and moral duty." However, Fahmy warned "rioters" against infringing on private and public property as well as the security forces, and threatened to hold them accountable under "the necessary rules and laws.""
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