The protests come after two days of rallies spurred by a dramatic collapse of the local currency against the dollar. Those rallies degenerated into violence, including attacks on private banks and shops.

Businesses have nevertheless remained open in Iran, with the divergent approaches adopted by local authorities reflecting continued uncertainty over how to slow the spread.

Carlos Ghosn fled to Lebanon, jumping a US$14 million bail to evade charges of financial misconduct that could carry a jail sentence of up to 15 years.

The existence in Lebanon of the new virus that first emerged in China has been politicized by some in Lebanon's deeply divided population.

The event was held on National Flag of Canada Day, marking the 55th anniversary of the Canadian flag.

More than 200 people, including a legislator, were injured in the riots, some of whom were rushed to hospital for treatment.

The crisis in Lebanon, one of the most heavily indebted nations in the world, is rooted in decades of state corruption and bad management

The protesters targeted mostly banks that have imposed informal capital controls, limiting the withdrawal of dollars and foreign transfers.

At least 114 people were injured in the Beirut protests, according to the Red Cross and the Lebanese Civil Defence teams. 47 of those injured were transported to hospitals for treatment.

After a lull in largely peaceful protests which broke out across the country in October over the state of the economy, people filled the streets again this week. They are furious at a ruling elite that has steered the country towards its worst economic crisis in decades.