Protesters gather in central Beirut amid sustained political deadlock

Hundreds have gathered in central Beirut to demand an end to an ongoing political deadlock and alleged corruption.

1 min read

23 December, 2018

Some protesters wore the yellow vests popularised by French anti-government protesters [Anadolu]

Hundreds of protestors gathered in central Beirut on Sunday amid deteriorating economic conditions as politicians are deadlocked over forming a new government.

The protesters marched to the government building in central Beirut, carrying placards that called for an end to the deadlock and corruption.

Some protesters were seen sporting the fluorescent yellow vests worn by anti-government protesters in France.

The call for the protests began on social media, with some using the yellow vest symbol with a cedar tree - the symbol of the Lebanese flag - in the centre.

Demonstrators chanted "the people want to bring down the regime", a slogan from the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings.

Protests have spread in Lebanon in recent weeks as rival politicians have failed to form a government following elections in May.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who was assigned to form a government in May, says conflict over ministerial shares have stalled the process.

On 24 May, after parliamentary elections, Aoun quickly nominated Hariri for his third term as prime minister and tasked him with forming a cabinet.

Key parties have jostled over ministries since the vote, with officials and foreign donors warning that a delay would aggravate the country's economic troubles.