Day 132

Still ongoing...

Day 132

Still ongoing...

February 25, 2020

Cabinet convenes for "special" session

  • The Lebanese Cabinet announced that flights back and forth from countries with high numbers of coronavirus infections have been limited and pilgrimage flights are completely banned. This follows public outrage at flights that continued to arrive from Iran and Italy, where coronavirus has killed tens of people. The Rafic Hariri Hospital has quarantined 7 potential cases of people with coronavirus to observe whether or not they are carrying it. 
  • Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved two firms to act as financial and legal advisors. Asset management company Lazard and law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP will advise the government on public debt restructuring. 
  • President Michel Aoun also announced during the session that they will begin oil and gas exploration in block 4 within the next 48 hours.

On day 132, protestors outside World Bank, Military Court, and Halba's government institutions

  • Protesters gathered outside the Military Court early Tuesday to demand the release of three detainees from Tripoli: Fadel Daraj, Nour Shaheen, and Mohamad Kanaan. The detainees were arrested on October 26, Curing Tripoli's "night of rioting".
  • There were also protests outside the World Bank in Beirut, with protesters denouncing international funds and policies. This coincided with a statement from the International Monetary Fund, announcing their readiness to provide more technical advice. 
  • Protesters in Halba took their demonstrations to government institutions including the Real Estate Department, the Vocational Education branch, the Ministry of Finance branch, the Urban Planning department, the Electricite du Liban branch, and others.

Dima Sadek and Gino Raidy summoned again

  • Journalist Dima Sadek and activist Gino Raidy were asked to present at the Criminal Investigation Department on Thursday after their interrogation has been postponed. 

Roads blocked in Tripoli, Taalabaya, and Beirut

  • Security forces detained Ahmad Bakeesh, which led to the blocking of roads in Tripoli. The army forcibly opened the road, attacking protesters. Protesters in Taalabaya and Beirut also blocked roads in solidarity with protesters in Tripoli. In Beirut, the riot police pushed back protesters blocking the Ring Bridge.

REPOSTED FROM @Megaphonenews

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