17 October Revolution
The 17 October Protests, commonly referred to as the 17 October Revolution or as Hirak[13] (Arabic: ثورة 17 تشرين الأول, romanized: thawrat 17 tishrīn al-ʾawwal, lit. '17 October revolution')[14] were a series of civil protests in Lebanon that began after the Lebanese cabinet announced financial measures on 17 October 2019.[15] These national protests were triggered by planned taxes on gasoline, tobacco, and VoIP calls on applications such as WhatsApp,[16][17][18] but quickly expanding into a country-wide condemnation of sectarian rule,[19] the stagnation of the economy, unemployment (which reached 46% in 2018[20]), endemic corruption in the public sector,[19] legislation that was perceived to shield the ruling class from accountability (such as banking secrecy)[21][22] and failures of the government to provide basic services such as electricity, water, and sanitation.[23]
Not to be confused with October Revolution.17 October Protests
17 October 2019 – Ambiguous
- Resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri
- Resignation of Prime Minister Hassan Diab
- Resignation of 10 Members of the 2018–2022 Lebanese Parliament
- Election of 13 reformist candidates in the 2022 Lebanese parliamentary elections
The protests created a political crisis in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Saad Hariri tendering his resignation, not demanding any new governmental needs of being the prime minister and echoing protesters' demands for a government of independent specialists.[24] A cabinet headed by Hassan Diab was formed in 2020 but also resigned in the wake of the 2020 Beirut explosion.
2020 protests[edit]
Protests resume[edit]
After weeks of relative calm, mass protests resumed across the country on 14 January 2020. Highways and major roads were blocked in Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar, Sidon, and Zahle by protests and burning tires. In Beirut, protesters clashed with security forces outside the Central Bank. Protests also took place outside Hassan Diab's house for failing to form a government. President Michel Aoun blamed obstacles in the delay of formation of a new government.[271][272] School and university students participated in some of the demonstrations.[273]
2022[edit]
Riad Salemeh trails[edit]
In February 2022, a subpoena was issued by Judge Ghada Aoun after Riad Salameh failed to show up to court for questioning, while his whereabouts were unknown after a raid in his office and 2 homes, as part of an investigation for alleged misconduct and corruption.[628][629] This sparked controversy with another security agency that was accused of protecting him from trial. Later in March 21, Salameh along with his brother Raja were charged for illicit enrichment by Ghassan Oueidat but also failed to attend for questioning.[630] His brother, Raja Salameh spent a month in detention but was released on May 22 while on a record bail of 100 billion LBP.
On June 21, 2022, his home was raided again by Lebanese security forces.[631]