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Lebanese Security, Anti-Government Protesters Clash in Beirut


A man looks at shops damaged during an anti-government protest in Beirut, Lebanon, June 12, 2020.
A man looks at shops damaged during an anti-government protest in Beirut, Lebanon, June 12, 2020.

Lebanese security forces clashed on the streets of Beirut with anti-government protesters for several hours on Friday.

Protesters smashed windows, set fire to shops and threw rocks and fireworks at police.

Security forces used tear gas against the protesters in efforts to disperse them, but the number of protesters continued to grow.

National currency depreciation and the economic crisis in Lebanon have fueled the most recent nationwide riots.

Measures to control the currency downturn so far have failed.

Lebanon’s prime minister called an emergency cabinet meeting on Friday, after demonstrators shut roads across the country with burning tires.

President Michel Aoun has blamed the currency plunge this week on "political manipulation," saying it was aimed to undermine the government and intentionally create chaos.

The Lebanese pound dropped to 6,000 to the dollar on the black market Thursday, down from 4,000 in recent days.

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