Touching scenes played out amidst massive demonstrations in Lebanon as several protesters embraced teary-eyed soldiers during a standoff. Public anger was sparked earlier by plans for tax hikes.
A video posted on social media shows two protesters comforting a soldier in full gear who appears to be overwhelmed by emotion as he stands securing the perimeter. They gently pat the man on the cheek and shoulders.
Other protesters wave Lebanese flags and sing the national anthem as armed soldiers calmly stand next to them.
In a similar video, a protester and soldier hug as chants are heard in the background.
An earlier viral video shows protesters singing popular children’s song ‘Baby Shark’ to a small, frightened boy to calm him. The song has become an anthem of the protests.
Lebanese people began blocking roads and holding rallies last week, protesting against the government’s plans to raise the value-added tax and introduce a new tax on internet calling apps such as WhatsApp. The government later rolled back the tax hikes and proposed a number of economic reforms instead. The protesters, however, refused to leave the streets, demanding that Prime Minister Saad Hariri resign.
Though largely peaceful, the protests have at times led to sporadic clashes with police and some rioting.
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