Lebanese protesters unbowed as army vows to open roads

A week of unprecedented Lebanese street protests against the political class showed no signs of abating Wednesday, despite the army moving to reopen key roads.

Demonstrations sparked on October 17 by a proposed tax on WhatsApp and other messaging apps have morphed into an unprecedented cross-sectarian street mobilisation against the political class.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri has presented a series of reforms including cutting ministerial salaries, but the rallies have continued -- crippling the capital Beirut and other major cities.

On Wednesday morning protesters set up fresh blockades to close down key highways into Beirut, AFP correspondents said.

There was a noticeable increase in the number of security forces near these blockades and a senior military official said a decision had been made to push back.

"There is a clear decision to reopen main roads and facilitate the movement of the citizens," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

A demonstration was forcibly removed by security forces from a main road north of Beirut.

Three people were injured during scuffles and several arrested and later released, the Lebanese official news agency said.

Banks, schools and universities remain closed.

Also on Wednesday, prosecutors in the Mount Lebanon area announced they would press charges against former Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his brother over "illicit enrichment."
Lebanon's economy has been sliding closer to the abyss in recent months, with public debt soaring past 150 percent of GDP and ratings agencies grading Lebanese sovereign bonds as "junk."