Protesters paralyse Lebanon amid political and economic crisis

A protester waves a Lebanese flag near burning tyres (Hussein Malla/AP)

Protesters closed all major roads leading to the Lebanese capital on Monday, causing traffic jams and triggering a warning by the head of the hospitals union, who said such moves are preventing oxygen supplies from reaching medical centres treating coronavirus patients.

The protests come against the backdrop of a crash in the local currency, an increase in the prices of consumer goods and political bickering between rival groups that has delayed the formation of a new government.