Lebanon: Protests now have erupted across Lebanon in response to poor living circumstances and the collapse of the local currency, according to the National News Agency.

On Monday, protesters barricaded highways with burning tires and rubbish bins in Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, Zahle, and Mount Lebanon, preventing locals from accessing their businesses and forcing several schools to close their doors. According to sources, the statewide protests erupted after the local currency plummeted to 25,000 Lebanese pounds per US dollar, compared to the previous official rate of 1,500 pounds. On Sunday, activists and representatives of civil society posted messages on social media encouraging individuals to join the protests.

Lebanon has been wracked by the biggest financial crisis in its history, with the jobless rate forecast to soar above 40 percent  in 2021 and the UN estimating a poverty rate of 78 percent . The country has begun discussions with the International Monetary Fund in the aim of obtaining billions of dollars to help salvage its crippled economy.

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