The unrest erupted after the government proposed new taxes, part of stringent austerity measures amid a growing economic crisis. The protests have brought people from across the sectarian and religious lines that define the country. On Saturday night, a Lebanese Christian leader asked his four ministers in the Cabinet to resign. In a speech Friday night, Hariri had given his partners in the government a 72-hour ultimatum to come up with convincing solutions to the economic crisis. Since Saturday, the protests have been mostly peaceful with many protesters bringing their children with them to the gatherings.

Source: thestar October 20, 2019 13:07 UTC