Lebanon police clash with students protesting tuition fee hike Tear gas was used to disperse the students, who were attempting to approach the main gate of the American University of Beirut (AUB) December 20, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Students clashed with riot police in Lebanon during furious protests against tuition fee hikes at top university,
The New Arab reported.
Tear gas was used to disperse the students, who were attempting to approach the main gate of the American University of Beirut (AUB).
Students fought back by hurling water bottles and other objects at the riot police blocking the way.
Lebanese students burn dumpsters while protesting a decision by top universities to adopt a new dollar exchange rate to price tuition in Beirut s Hamra district on December 19, 2020 [ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images]
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Lebanese riot police on Saturday scuffled with students protesting against a decision by top universities to adopt a new dollar exchange rate to determine tuition fees – which equates to a major fee rise
.
Protesters had gathered for a “Day of Student Anger” in front of the American University of Beirut, the largest by far in a series of demonstrations organised by independent student groups from across Lebanon.
They united forces earlier this month to fight a 160 per cent hike in fees and oppose a political elite they say is compromising their future, but further violence may undermine the momentum of their cause.
Lebanese Students Protest Major University Tuition Hike The Media Line Staff 12/20/2020
Lebanese riot police fired tear gas at student demonstrators protesting a major rise in tuition at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Lebanese American University.
The demonstrations, called a ‘student day of rage,’ on Saturday near the entrance of AUB in Hamra were sparked by the universities’ decision to raise the exchange rate of US dollars to Lebanese pounds on the tuition price, effectively more than doubling student tuition since the exchange rate remains pegged to the 23-year-old official rate. There is concern that other Lebanese universities will soon follow suit, pricing Lebanese students out of higher education.
Lebanese forces clash with students protesting 160% tuition hike Sunday, 20 December 2020 11:16 AM
[ Last Update: Sunday, 20 December 2020 11:35 AM ] Lebanese students protest a decision by top universities to adopt a new dollar exchange rate to price tuition in Beirut s Hamra district on December 19, 2020. (Photo by AFP)
Lebanese police and Army personnel have clashed with students protesting against a decision by top private universities to adopt a new dollar exchange rate to price tuition.
The scuffles took place near the entrance of the American University of Beirut (AUB) in the city s Hamra district on Saturday.
The students were angry about a decision by AUB and the Lebanese American University (LAU) to price tuition based on an exchange rate of 3,900 Lebanese pounds to the dollar. This is while the Lebanese currency is still officially pegged at around 1,500 pounds to the greenback.
Police scuffle with protesting students in Lebanon
World
December 20, 2020
BEIRUT: Lebanese riot police on Saturday scuffled with students protesting a decision by top universities to adopt a new dollar exchange rate to price tuition equivalent to a major fee hike.
Near the entrance of the American University of Beirut (AUB) in the city’s Hamra district, security forces fired tear gas to disperse protesters who were trying to approach the main gate.
Students responded by throwing water bottles and other objects at riot police blocking their path.
It was not immediately clear if there were any injuries.
The protest came in response to a decision by AUB and the Lebanese American University (LAU), another top private institution, to price tuition based on an exchange rate of 3,900 Lebanese pounds to the dollar.