WOMAN IN LEBANON IS GOING VIRAL FOR HOLDING UP A BANK WITH A TOY GUN – SHE WALKED AWAY WITH *GET THIS* 13 THOUSAND DOLLARS OF HER OWN SAVINGS IN ORDER TO FUND HER SISTER’S CANCER TREATMENT
THIS COMES JUST MONTHS AFTER A VERY SIMILAR INCIDENT TOOK PLACE WHERE A MAN WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE HELD A BEIRUT BANK HOSTAGE TO TAKE YET AGAIN THOUSAND OF DOLLARS OF HIS OWN SAVINGS
SO WHY ARE PEOPLE IN LEBANON RESORTING TO THESE EXTREME MEASURES? WELL SINCE 2019 – THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH AN ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRISIS – *THE WORLD BANK CALLS IT ONE OF THE WORST IN CENTURIES*
THE CURRENCY COLLAPSED AND ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF THE POPULATION NOW LIVE IN POVERTY
THE DISASTER IS A COMBINATION OF PILING UP DEBT AT THE HANDS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND DECADES OF CORRUPTION AND MISMANAGEMENT
AND THAT MASSIVE VIRAL EXPLOSION THAT HAPPENED IN 2020 MADE MATTERS ONLY WORSE
THE COUNTRY’S CASH-STRAPPED BANKS HAVE SHUT THEIR DOORS IMPOSING STRICT LIMITS ON WITHDRAWALS – TYING UP THE SAVINGS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE – CAUSING WIDESPREAD ANGER AND DESPERATION
LEBANON RECENTLY ELECTED A NEW PARLIAMENT BUT IT REMAINS DEEPLY DIVIDED. THE TERM OF THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT ENDS OCTOBER 31ST PAVING THE WAY FOR A NEW ELECTION