After a day of quasi-normality in Lebanon, protesters returned to the streets Thursday evening, almost immediately after a televised speech delivered by President Michel Aoun, closing roads in the capital and beyond.
Aoun addressed the nation at 8:30 p.m., saying that the new government must be made up of ministers chosen according to merit, rather than political affiliation. As soon as he had finished, protesters descended on the streets, shutting off roads in locations including Sidon and the main intersection of Gemmayzeh, in Beirut, saying that the president's speech was "not enough".
Earlier in Beirut, hundreds of protesters marched from the Central Bank in Hamra to Riad al-Solh, on the 15th consecutive day of anti-government demonstrations.
Thursday morning was characterized by the efforts of security forces to open roads, after protesters once again set up blockades overnight.
The riot police then surrounded the protesters, preventing them from returning.
The Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces negotiated with protesters along the northern highway at Jal al-Dib and Zouk Mosbeh, before opening it and removing metal barriers.
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