MPs convenes as protestors hit the streets

BEIRUT: Lawmakers gathered Tuesday at UNESCO Palace in Beirut for a three-day legislative session as protestors hit the streets in the midst of a coronavirus lockdown. 

Over a hundred protesters gathered in downtown Beirut, wearing protective masks while lawmakers began tackling approximately 35 draft laws and proposals. 

The list includes the controversial amnesty law that would potentially set free thousands of prisoners. 

Gebran Bassil, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, railed against the proposal Monday, arguing that it should be replaced with laws that fight corruption. 

"The country needs to tighten sanctions, crack down on corrupt people and recover looted funds, rather than reduce sentences or acquit criminals," Bassil said at a news conference Monday.

Lebanon has been pushed to the brink of collapse as a result of the coronavirus lockdown, with thousands of families failing to make ends meet. 

Unemployment has jumped to record highs while the national currency slipped to record lows, a 50 percent devaluation of the pound on its official exchange rate of L.L.1,507.5 to the dollar.

Exchange shops were selling the dollar for L.L.3,200 and buying it for L.L.3,125 in Beirut Tuesday morning. 

A glimmer of hope that Lebanon would overcome the coronavirus crisis was evident, however, after the Health Ministry reported no new cases in the past 24 hours.