Violent Clashes Erupt Between  Lebanese Army, Criminals in Bekaa

The Lebanese town of Brital, which is located in the Bekaa Governorate, witnessed violent clashes involving the use of automatic weapons, during the Lebanese army’s attempt to arrest one of the most wanted persons in the country.

According to information revealed by Lebanese media, the operation coincided with the flight of army helicopters, which led to the arrest of five wanted men and seriously wounding a number of other wanted men.

Two members of the army were also injured, and all the wounded were transferred to hospitals in the area.

The army has reinforced its presence in that area and is working to conduct mechanized patrols.

On the other hand, the Lebanese presidency revealed, today, Friday, a series of measures to control the exchange rate, after the Lebanese pound fell to record levels recently.

The Lebanese Presidency's page reported on "Twitter" that a meeting took place between the Governor of the Banque du Liban (Lebanon's Central Bank)  and President Aoun's financial affairs advisor to discuss the procedure.

It added that the governor of the Banque du Liban informed President Aoun that it has decided to launch work on the platform belonging to it, so that all operations would be recorded, and that it would become the main reference for the real market price.

For his part, the Lebanese President stressed the need to be strict to curb speculation and clean up the banking sector.

The advisor to the Lebanese President, Antoine Constantine, said after his meeting with the Governor of the Banque du Liban, Riad Salameh that it  was agreed on a series of measures to control the exchange rate of the dollar."

He added that the Central Bank “will intervene to absorb surplus  liquidity and control the exchange rate, as needed,” noting that the Central Bank “decided to launch its electronic platform so that all operations are recorded on it.”