Lebanese protesters attack MP convoy en route to parliament
Lawmakers in Beirut were blocked from attending parliament on Tuesday (November 19) as protests across Lebanon continued.
Footage aired by broadcaster al-Jadeed, showed two SUVs being forced to turn back.
The government session was postponed until further notice.
On its agenda had been the reelecting of members of parliamentary committees, and discussions about a controversial amnesty law that is expected to lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEBANESE PROTESTER, MASSOUD AL-ALI, FROM AKKAR, SAYING:
"We don't want amnesty for those who killed soldiers and policemen, nor for the crimes that MPs and ministers committed."
The latest unrest is part of a month-long wave of demonstrations
against politicians blamed for taking Lebanon towards economic collapse.
Crowds flocked to banks on Tuesday, as they reopened after being closed for a week
Security remained tight and restrictions were imposed on hard currency withdrawals and transfers abroad.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEBANESE CITIZEN WHO DID NOT WANT TO GIVE HIS NAME SAYING:
"I entered the bank. There were around 100 people ahead of me so I had to leave. I couldn't wait, I would have to wait for hours for my turn.
The central bank has said deposits are safe and that it has the capacity to maintain the value of the Lebanese pound, which is pegged to the U.S. dollar.
But Lebanon has slid further into economic crisis since the protests erupted lat month.
The situation has been deadlocked since Saad al-Hariri resigned as prime minister at the end of October.
The protests have been fueled by perceptions of corruption among the sectarian politicians who have governed Lebanon for decades.
