Roads still blocked, anti-government protests continue in Lebanon
October 31, 2019, 11:10 am

Roads still blocked, anti-government protests continue in Lebanon

Protesters carry signs in Tripoli earlier in the week. (Reuters)

Some roads were still blocked across Lebanon on Thursday as the protests entered their fourteenth day, ahead of President Michel Aoun's speech later in the day.

Aoun is set to give his second address during the protests, this one after Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned on Tuesday. Protesters have called for the resignation of the entire government.

Lebanon has been largely shut down by the anti-government protests, which were sparked by the imposition of a tax on WhatsApp calls against the backdrop of widespread corruption and a failing economy.

Schools had been set to reopen on Thursday, but late last night parents in many areas were told schools would remain closed.

Banks have also been closed throughout the protests, prompting fears that salaries would not be paid.

Protesters in central Beirut had been attacked by men, who were believed to be supporters of Hezbollah and Amal, on Tuesday. Tents and stalls which had been set up in Beirut's Martyr's Square were trashed in the attacks.

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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.”