Lebanese army arrests several protesters in Sidon as roadblocks continue
October 28, 2019, 9:19 am

Lebanese army arrests several protesters in Sidon as roadblocks continue

Lebanese demonstrators wave national flags as they take part in a protest against dire economic conditions in Lebanon's southern city of Sidon on October 20, 2019. (AFP)

Lebanon’s army has arrested several protesters in Sidon on Monday, Al Arabiya’s correspondent reported, as they used their bodies to block main roads in the southern city. The exact number of those arrested is unknown.

The roadblocks prompted some pushback from army forces leading to two injuries, according to the Red Cross. They reported that the two injured were treated and released.

Lebanese demonstrators set up barricades and parked cars across key roads to protest corruption and press their demands for a radical overhaul of their country’s sectarian political system.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Bousaab told OTV on Monday that the army is on the roads but does not open roadblocks by force to avoid any clashes with citizens.

“Those who incite clashes and tension should bear their responsibility,” Bousaab said.

“We must address the situation of road closures quickly, making sure that the army does not clash with the citizens and we will have a meeting soon to this end,” he added.

On their 12th day of protesting, demonstrators called on people to block main roads with their cars. Al Arabiya’s correspondent reported that members of the Lebanese army attempted to urge car owners to remove their cars.

According to the Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar TV, protesters closed off the municipality buildings of Tripoli and el-Mina, as well as the water authority in north Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Association of Banks in Lebanon announced the closure of banks on Monday, as protests continue across the country.

The move comes amid fears of a huge demand for the US dollar, or a large withdrawal of deposits abroad, and the deterioration of the lira exchange rate against the dollar.

For 12 consecutive days, protests have been sweeping Lebanon against a political elite accused of corruption, mismanagement of state funds and leading the country to an economic collapse not seen in Lebanon since the 1975-1990 civil war. Banks, schools and many businesses remain closed.

Turkey detains 20 foreigners seen tied to ISIS: Anadolu EU approves Brexit extension until January 31

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”