Lebanese-Australians are "gravely concerned" as a spiralling economic crisis in Lebanon has caused violent demonstrations to break out around the country.
, with protesters torching bank branches and smashing ATM machines.
Lebanon is grappling with its worst economic turmoil since the 1975-1990 civil war, now compounded by a lockdown to halt the stem of coronavirus.
"There are grave concerns. You would not find a Lebanese-Australian who does not have some family connections or links to Lebanon, hence why the community here is on edge," president of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry Roland Jabbour told SBS News.
Protests have erupted around Lebanon. Source: Getty
"One can only expect that things are likely to deteriorate further, which will impact on the security situation there."
The exchange rate, long pegged at 1,507 Lebanese pounds to the dollar, has soared to more than 4,000 pounds in recent days.
And many Lebanese find themselves frozen out of their deposits, as prices have spiked.
Flames engulf a car during clashes between protesters and Lebanese soldiers this week. Source: Getty
"There is fear among the Lebanese people that their money is no longer available in the banks and that is why the banks have put restrictions on withdrawals," Mr Jabbour said.
"In some cases, this is the equivalent to $100 a week, regardless of how much you have in your bank account."
He said that many Lebanese-Australians were unable to send the full amount of remittances back to their families that they usually do, while others are concerned as they have money in bank accounts in Lebanon.
Antoine Kazzi, the editor of El Telegraph Arabic newspaper in Sydney, said he has heard stories in Lebanon of people unable to buy food for their children.
"It's a great disaster," he said.
"Some people have put 20, 30 years of money [in the bank], and they're worried there's no money there."
Mr Kazzi predicted protests will only get bigger.
"All the people will come to the street next time, because everyone is angry - there's no money, no food ... [It's the] start of a revolution."
Debt-burdened Lebanon has been rocked by a series of political crises in recent years, before an economic crunch helped set off unprecedented mass protests in October and unseated the last government.
The demonstrations had largely petered out after a new cabinet was tasked earlier this year with implementing urgent reforms to unlock billions in international aid.
Then the small Mediterranean country largely closed down to tackle the virus that has so-far infected 721 people and killed 24.
But in recent days, and in defiance of the ongoing lockdown, the demonstrators have hit the streets again, railing against the sharp devaluation and stinging price hikes.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Wednesday said the government was exerting "great efforts to try to alleviate the crisis", and promised to increase handouts to the most needy.
Human Rights Watch criticised the army's use of force in Tripoli on Monday night.
A woman begs on a street in Tripoli. Source: AAP
"The army's unjustified use of lethal force has further enflamed the situation and cost the life of one young man who was demanding his rights," HRW Lebanon researcher Aya Majzoub said.
Banks have gradually restricted dollar withdrawals, halting them altogether last month, and transfers abroad have been banned.
Lebanon is one of the most indebted countries in the world, with debt equivalent to 170 per cent of its GDP, and went into default for the first time in March.
Additional reporting: AFP, AAP
