Lebanese banks, schools shut as protesters push on

Ibrahim CHALHOUB / AFP

Banks and schools in Lebanon remained shut on Tuesday as a new wave of anti-government protests kicked off in the country.

Bank branches, which were closed for nearly half of October, shut again over safety issues.

"We aim to meet with the Association of Banks in Lebanon today and decide how we're going to work together to solve this issue so that bank employees are not harassed," President of the Federation of Syndicates of Bank Employees George al-Hajj said.

ATM machines will be stocked so the public aren't inconvenienced, he added.

A wave of protests hit Lebanon on October 17, with thousands demanding a change in the ruling elite.