Lebanese banks have voted unanimously to close their doors following a wave of hold-ups by angry depositors, who have been prevented from accessing their cash since September.
Bank employees said on Friday that they would close indefinitely but that they would meet the urgent fiscal needs of individuals and companies as usual in the back office.
Lebanon's currency has depreciated by at least 90 percent since the country sank into a severe economic crisis in 2019, prompting banks to limit the amount their clients could withdraw, which in turn has left many Lebanese in debt and unable to pay their bills.
Since September, some Lebanese depositors have stormed bank branches armed with guns and grenades, while others have protested peacefully, including an MP and former ambassador.