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| - Lebanon has been rocked since October 2019 by angry protests over government corruption and economic hardship. Here is a recap: On October 17, amid a looming economic crisis, the government announces a tax on messaging applications, including WhatsApp. Seeing it as the last straw, thousands take to the streets in Beirut and other cities, some chanting "the people demand the fall of the regime". The government of Saad Hariri scraps the tax the same day, but protests continue. On October 18, thousands of demonstrators bring the capital to a standstill in unprecedented cross-sectarian mass protests. They demand an overhaul of the political system, citing grievances from austerity measures and state corruption to poor infrastructure and regular electricity cuts. Demonstrations swell over the following days and dozens are arrested. On October 29, Hariri submits his resignation and that of his government, prompting celebrations in the streets. In a television address on November 3, President Michel Aoun announces plans to tackle corruption, reform the economy and form a new government including technical experts. But thousands of protesters stream back into Beirut's Martyrs' Square, chanting "Revolution!" On December 11 at a Paris conference, France, the United States, Russia and other countries rebuff Lebanon's urgent aid appeal, making assistance conditional on the formation of a new reform-minded government. Hariri also asks the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for support in drawing up a rescue plan. On December 19, the president finally names a new prime minister: little-known academic Hassan Diab, who is backed by powerful Shiite movement Hezbollah. Protesters immediately regroup to condemn the appointment, which outrages members of the Sunni community. Protests continue the following day with roads blocked across the country. On January 11, 2020, protests resume after a pause over the holidays. Days later clashes take place in Beirut and several banks are vandalised. On January 18-19 at least 546 people, demonstrators, but also members of the security forces, are injured in clashes in central Beirut. Human Rights Watch accuses the police of firing rubber bullets at protesters' eyes. On the 21, a new government is unveiled, made up of a single political camp, the pro-Iranian Hezbollah and its allies, who have a parliamentary majority. Demonstrators respond by torching tyres and blocking several roads in mainly Sunni towns across the country. On February 11, parliament votes its confidence in the new government, despite attempts by hundreds of protesters to block the session. The clashes leave more than 370 injured. On March 7 Lebanon, whose debt burden is equivalent to nearly 170 percent of its gross domestic product, says it will not repay a $1.2-billion Eurobond. On the 23, it says it will discontinue payments on all dollar-denominated Eurobonds. On April 17, hundreds protest in Tripoli despite the country's coronavirus lockdown, marking six months since mass rallies broke out. On April 27-28, in Tripoli, overnight confrontations between troops and hundreds of demonstrators leave one dead and 50 injured among the protesters and 40 injured among the troops. On the 29, at least 23 demonstrators and 19 soldiers are injured in renewed clashes. On the 30, the government approves a plan to rescue the economy. "We will go to the IMF to request a programme," Diab says, promising "a clear road map to manage public finances". acm/jmy/par
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