Egypt urges its nationals in Lebanon to exercise caution as protests continue

Ahram Online , Friday 18 Oct 2019

The protests over economic failures are the biggest in recent years

Lebanon
Lebanese protesters wave placards during a protest against dire economic conditions in Zouk Mikael, north of the Lebanese capital Beirut on October 18, 2019 AFP

Egypt has urged its citizens to exercise caution in Lebanon after protests erupted over a planned tax on WhatsApp calls.

In an official statement on Friday, the Egyptian embassy in Lebanon urged citizens to stay away from large gatherings and to follow the instructions by Lebanese authorities on the issue.

The statement comes as thousands of Lebanese hit the streets of Beirut for a second day spurred by a now-revoked WhatsApp call tax that crystallised anger over the country’s troubled economy.

The protests are the biggest in years, according to reports.

Thousands of protesters blocked roads and burned tyres across Lebanon for a second day on Friday, demanding the resignation of the governent.

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