Economic meltdown accelerates in Lebanon

A woman and her daughter begging on Beirut’s commercial Hamra Street (AP)

Lebanon is in the grip of an economic crisis, with shops closing, companies going bankrupt and shelves being emptied in pharmacies.

The Lebanese pound has lost more than 25% in value over the past weeks alone, while inflation and prices have skyrocketed in a country that imports more than 80% of its basic goods.