BEIRUT, Oct 21 (NNN-NNA) – Nationwide demonstrations continued for the fourth day in Lebanon, amid demands by protesters to change the government.
Protesters blocked roads and burned tires, while various official departments and public institutions, in addition to the Association of Lebanese banks, declared Monday (today), as a strike day, as they expect protests to continue until a clear solution is provided by the government.
Nationwide protests started on Thursday, fuelled by the government’s announcements of its plans to impose new taxes on citizens.
The government is trying to pass the 2020 state budget by adopting austerity measures, in a bid to reduce the budget deficit, which has reached 11.4 percent of GDP.
Endorsing the 2020 state budget is one of the conditions imposed by the CEDRE conference, to unlock the 11 billion U.S. dollars for Lebanon.
However, Lebanese authorities have shown great incapacity to adopt serious measures, while resorting instead to imposing taxes on citizens.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, addressed the people on Friday, to announce that he gives a 72-hour deadline for political parties in his government to agree to his terms of an economic plan.
The economic plan includes a drop in the government’s expenditures, in addition to securing 3.5 billion dollars from the central bank and commercial banks.
Reforms also include a reduction by 50 percent for the salaries of ministers, members of parliament and former MP’s.
Moreover, the 2020 state budget will not include new taxes.
Representatives of different political parties met with Hariri yesterday, to discuss the economic plan, which is expected to be announced by the prime minister later today (Monday).– NNN-NNA
