Demonstrators in Lebanon add creativity to disobedience

BEIRUT — On a main thoroughfare in Beirut on Monday, Lebanese protesters set up a living room with an area rug, a couch and a refrigerator. On another, they held a morning yoga class. And on a third, a band with an accordion player sang one of the newest slogans of Lebanon’s anti-government protests.

“Hela, hela, hela ho, the road is closed, sweetie,” the song went — a reflection of how the protesters have grown more creative in blocking roads as part of massive anti-government demonstrations under way for the past 12 days.

The protests are directed at the political elites who have dominated the country since its 1975-1990 war, and who many accuse of corruption and economic mismanagement. The rallies have paralyzed the country, and the prolonged closure of banks has raised fears of an economic collapse.

“We are all tired, and we understand that people want to get back to their work, but we cannot stop now,” said Dina Yaziji, who joined the protests because, like many young Lebanese, she cannot find employment.

“We won’t stop until the regime steps down. If anyone has a problem with us, let them speak to (President) Michel Aoun and ask him to step down. Then we’ll go home.”

In many locations, demonstrators have sat or lain in the streets in a form of civil disobedience, forcing security forces to drag them away. In others, they have blocked routes with overturned dumpsters and burned tires, sending black smoke into the air. Protesters set fires to block the airport road in Beirut early Monday before Lebanese troops in armored personnel carriers arrived to clear the route.

The protests have been largely peaceful, with security forces exercising restraint. There have been few reports of arrests or serious injuries since the demonstrations began, and security forces have calmly stood guard around...