Mass protests demand radical changes in Lebanon

Beirut, Oct 31 (Prensa Latina) The Lebanese army today opened key roads for the connection of this capital with other cities, while anti-government demonstrations, although with less vigor, continued throughout the country.

A few hours after resigning, the interim prime minister of Lebanon, Saad Hariri, is a favorite to regain his position, Parliament sources said today.

Hariri's resignation without apparent coordination with the President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, and the head of Parliament, Nabih Berri, ensued in the face of massive protests that demand radical changes in the ruling elite.

Among the most indebted countries in the world, 85 billion dollars, more than 150 percent of Lebanon's gross domestic product, the government continues to tread uphill in order to implement economic reforms.

Hariri will return to the presidency of the Council of Ministers, on condition of full freedom to form a government without figures from previous mandates, The Daily Star newspaper quotes a source from Congress.

'Given the local, Arab and international confidence he enjoys, the resigning prime minister is the most qualified person to command an Executive in the current circumstances of the country,' according to the newspaper.

In unison with the announcement of a resumption of unrestricted banking operations, there was a fear today in Lebanon of a flight of misappropriated capital.

A communication from the Association of Banks notified that tomorrow these units will return to their everyday functions, closed for 11 business days, and that there will be no limits to send or receive money.

The entity will guarantee normal operations and denied rumors of controls to withdraw funds from the country.

On the other hand, the anti-government protests that entered today on its 15th day, demand blockade of any attempt to transfer money and prevent corrupts from moving their goods abroad.

A source consulted by The Daily Star newspaper said efforts will be made to keep money in banks and even offer more interest, as long as they continue in the vaults.