Storming and threats with weapons and gasoline are occurring to retrieve some of the deposits saved in the bank. This is not a movie scenario, but a reality in Lebanon! Will we witness a continuation of these storming incidents after Thursday? What measures might the banks take? Sources from the Association of Banks, through mtv, indicate that the banks are considering several measures to implement and circulate, which may include requiring customers to schedule appointments before visiting the bank, limiting the number of people allowed inside to no more than four, subjecting them to searches, and locking the doors. They point out that they are awaiting the steps the Ministry of Interior will take in this regard, considering that banks cannot do anything other than demand security measures and protection.
As for the depositors, the situation is not any better, as the solution is not to close and tighten regulations, according to Hassan Maghniyeh, the head of the Depositors Association, who stated to mtv, "I communicated with the banks and the Association of Banks and confirmed to them that closing or tightening security is not the solution, and it is ineffective. The real solution is to establish a crisis cell immediately to address the current situation and set priorities. Such measures will exacerbate the crisis rather than mitigate it."
What steps are expected from depositors in the coming period? Is there any escalation? When asked, Maghniyeh replied, "We are not the ones calling for escalation, and the most we can do is protest, but people are acting on their own and no longer waiting for the Depositors Association. We as an association have never called for the use of violence as this is not the solution. However, it has been three years since the crisis without finding a plan to get out, no laws or reforms, which has exhausted people on all fronts. Those who see their loved ones dying before their eyes will understandably resort to 'breaking the largest bank' to seek treatment."
However, the recurrence of such incidents affects the security situation. Lebanon cannot bear any shocks in this regard. Maghniyeh points out that "what is happening definitely pushes towards security breakdown and leads citizens to adopt a 'everyone takes their rights into their own hands' approach. However, what has occurred is a reaction to three years of indifference and disregard for the people, and the Lebanese people have delayed their reaction for too long."
Regarding claims that these stormings are organized and planned, he responds: "We reject that, as they are not. I place the statements of the caretaker Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi in the category of mocking the Lebanese people. I hope that he and Prime Minister Najib Mikati announce any information they have regarding this, otherwise we will have to consider their statements as misleading public opinion."
So what outcome awaits in the battle of depositors vs. banks?
