by english.aawsat.com — The rise of the US dollar exchange rate against the Lebanese Lira has brought protesters in the north and south of Lebanon back to the streets. On Thursday, the exchange rate of 1USD was equal to LBP8,800 after it was stable for the past weeks at around LBP8,000 and LBP8,500. In Sidon (south of Lebanon), protesters gathered at Masaref Street to express objection to the chaotic rise of the US dollar exchange rate and the deterioration in living and economic conditions.

In Tripoli, protesters went down to Sahet al-Nour, or Light Plaza, and shouted slogans against the politicians’ practices. They called on the politicians to resign and affirmed that their protests will not stop during the lockdown imposed due to the pandemic. The protesters urged the officials to provide the basic necessities for the people whose living conditions would deteriorate during the lockdown.The deterioration of the Lebanese lira exchange rate against the dollar coincides with the biggest economic crisis that Lebanon has ever encountered. It led to the scarcity of the US dollar, which is needed to import most consumption goods. This situation is likely to aggravate with the plan to lift subsidies provided by the Central Bank of Lebanon, therefore increasing the number of people living in poverty.