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WATCH protesters hug WEEPING soldiers during anti-government rallies in Lebanon WATCH protesters hug WEEPING soldiers during anti-government rallies in Lebanon
(about 16 hours later)
Touching scenes played out amidst massive protest rallies in Lebanon as several protesters embraced dewy-eyed soldiers during the standoff. The public anger was earlier sparked by plans for tax hikes. Touching scenes played out amidst massive demonstrations in Lebanon as several protesters embraced teary-eyed soldiers during a standoff. Public anger was sparked earlier by plans for tax hikes.
A video, posted on social media, shows two protesters comforting a soldier in full gear, who appears to be overwhelmed by emotion as he stands securing the perimeter. They gently pat the man on the cheek and shoulders. A video posted on social media shows two protesters comforting a soldier in full gear who appears to be overwhelmed by emotion as he stands securing the perimeter. They gently pat the man on the cheek and shoulders.
Other protesters are waving national flags and singing the national anthem, as more armed soldiers calmly stand next to them. Other protesters wave Lebanese flags and sing the national anthem as armed soldiers calmly stand next to them.
In a similar video, a protester and a soldier warmly hug each other, with chants heard at the background. In a similar video, a protester and soldier hug as chants are heard in the background.
An earlier clip from the rallies, which went viral, showed the protesters singing a popular children’s song ‘Baby Shark’ to a small frightened boy in a bid to calm him. The song later became one of the protests’ unofficial anthems. An earlier viral video shows protesters singing popular children’s song ‘Baby Shark’ to a small, frightened boy to calm him. The song has become an anthem of the protests.
The Lebanese began blocking roads and holding rallies last week, protesting against the government’s plans to raise the value-added tax and introduce a new tax on the use of internet calling apps such a WhatsApp. The government later rolled back the tax hikes and proposed a number of economic reforms instead. The protesters, however, refused to leave the streets, demanding that Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigns. Lebanese people began blocking roads and holding rallies last week, protesting against the government’s plans to raise the value-added tax and introduce a new tax on internet calling apps such as WhatsApp. The government later rolled back the tax hikes and proposed a number of economic reforms instead. The protesters, however, refused to leave the streets, demanding that Prime Minister Saad Hariri resign.
Despite remaining largely peaceful, the protests have at times led to sporadic clashes with police and some rioting. Though largely peaceful, the protests have at times led to sporadic clashes with police and some rioting.
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