Lebanese army kills protester in Tripoli amid deteriorating economic woes

The protester, according to medical sources, was identified as Fawaz Fouad al-Samman, who died during the demonstrations against the the deteriorating economic situation. 

“My Brother Fawaz Fouad al-Samman, 26, was martyred by his wounds as a result of a live bullet during the rebel clashes with the army yesterday in Tripoli,” his sister Fatima Fouad announced on Facebook Tuesday morning.

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated in Tripoli over a deteriorating economy before security forces unleashed a violanet crackdown. 

At least 20 more were injured in the attack.

Read also: Lebanon's post-Civil War generation flock to the streets without fear 

Men, women and children had marched through the streets towards the house of a parliaments chanting "revolution, revolution", but were pushed back by the army, sparking clashes, a correspondent said. 

Some protesters threw stones and the army shot into the air to try to disperse the crowd in the area of al-Nour Square, the correspondent added.

The National News Agency said the facade of a bank was smashed.

The army said fire had been set to several bank branches, and a molotov cocktail was tossed at a military vehicle.

Lebanon is currently facing its worst economic crisis since its 1975-1990 civil war.

The Lebanese national currency hit a new record low over the weekend, with 4,000 pounds to the dollar on the black market while the official price remained at 1,507 pounds.

Coronavirus and the lockdown has worsened the most serious economic and financial crisis to hit Lebanon since the end of the 1975-90 civil war.

The value of the Lebanese pound plummeted on the black market, prices have risen, and many businesses have been forced to slash salaries, dismiss staff or close. 

Lebanon is one of the most indebted countries in the world, with a public debt equivalent to 150 percent of its GDP.

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