Lebanon: Thousands mark first anniversary of protest movement

Hundreds took streets of Lebanese capital on Saturday, marking one year of beginning of movement that demanded an end to an increasingly severe ecomic crisis, which has only deepened since coronavirus pandemic.

Near Beirut's port, which was scene of a massive blast on Aug. 4, protesters lit a huge torch in shape of Arabic words for "October 17 Revolution."

flame was lit at 6:07 p.m. (1507 GMT) to mark moment explosion occurred.

blast killed nearly 200, wounded thousands, and caused dam worth billion of dollars.

Earlier in day, demonstrators gared outside central bank and interior ministry, demanding government end money controls imposed last year, which deprive people of reaching ir savings.

Protests have waned since first spontaneous movement erupted on Oct. 17, 2019, but ongoing crises keep people on streets.

" revolution is lasting and will continue until we bring down corrupt system that robbed and looted us, and is also responsible for Beirut explosion," said Samar, a protester in Beirut.

Leban's ecomy has been deteriorating since protests broke out last year and has worsened over past month due to coronavirus outbreak and aftermath of blast.

Thousands of demonstrators also protested in cities of Tripoli and Sidon.