On day 56, protests against state institutions and foreign aid
- In Nabatieh, a dozen protesters staged a sit-in in front of the Department of Finance on Wednesday morning while others in Aley closed the entrance to the Serail building.
- Roads were blocked in Tripoli, Halba, Hasbaya, and Zahle. Protesters gathered in front of the French Embassy in Beirut to reject the international support group conference held in Paris.
- At night, a march took off from the Ministry of Interior towards Parliament after Tuesday night’s attack on protesters by the parliamentary police. Protesters toured the residences of Progressive Socialist Movement leader Walid Jumblatt and caretaker PM Saad Hariri. A group of men, reportedly Amal supporters, attempted to clash with protesters but were pushed back with teargas by Internal Security Forces.
International Support Group meets in Paris
- The International Support Group for Lebanon (ISG) held a one-day conference at the behest of caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri to find a solution to Lebanon’s dire economic crisis.
- Members stressed that international aid will be contingent on the rapid formation of a “credible” government that will then adopt a “reliable” 2020 budget that would enact necessary reforms to combat corruption. In response to the meeting, Hariri called for the swift formation of a “technocrat” government as well as the immediate drafting and implementation of a rescue plan at the economic, social, monetary, financial and production levels.
- Lebanese residing in France staged a protest outside France’s Foreign Ministry, refusing foreign aid or intervention while popular demands haven’t been met.
Corruption charges leveled against Future-backed official
- Mount Lebanon Prosecutor Judge Ghada Aoun ordered Wednesday the arrest of Huda Salloum, who heads the Traffic, Trucks, and Vehicles Management Authority.
- Lawyer Wadih Akl, also an active member of the political bureau of the Free Patriotic Movement, had accused Salloum of crimes related to bribery, forgery, waste of public funds, illicit enrichment and mismanagement.
- Future Movement officials, namely ex-Interior Minister Nuhad al-Mashnouk and MP Hadi Hbeish, defended Salloum and accused Aoun of breaching legal norms and abusing her power. Hbeish stormed the Justice Palace in Baabda to denounce Aoun’s order.
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