Lebanon agrees on final budget with no taxes amid massive protests
CGTN

Lebanon's finance minister said on Saturday following a meeting with Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri that they had agreed on a final budget that did not include any additional taxes or fees in a bid to appease nationwide protests. 

Lebanonese President Michel Aoun said in a tweet that there would be a "reassuring solution" to the economic crisis. 

The head of the Maronite Christian Lebanese Forces party Samir Geagea Saturday said his party which includes four ministers was resigning from the government and called for a new government to be formed.

"We are now convinced that the government is unable to take the necessary steps to save the situation," said Geagea in a speech broadcast on Al Jadeed TV. "Therefore, the bloc decided to ask its ministers to resign from the government." 

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri speaks during a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon, October 18, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri speaks during a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon, October 18, 2019. /Reuters Photo

Massive protests continue

Demonstrators in Beirut celebrated the news of the coalition party's resignation, calling on other blocs to leave the government. In Tripoli, they set off fireworks. 

"I am thinking maybe it's better all the government resign," said one protester, 24-year-old Ali. "I am thinking maybe it's better to go to another election as people already woke up."

Over a million protesters took to the streets on Saturday, vowing to keep their demonstrations until the political system is changed, and calling for early parliamentary elections. 

On Saturday evening, thousands were also packed for a third straight night into the Riyadh al-Solh Square in central Beirut, despite security forces having used tear gas and water cannons to disperse similar crowds a day before. 

Riot police fire tear gas to disperse demonstrators during a protest targeting the government over an economic crisis, near the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon, October 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Riot police fire tear gas to disperse demonstrators during a protest targeting the government over an economic crisis, near the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon, October 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

The demonstrators are demanding a sweeping overhaul of Lebanon's political system, citing grievances ranging from austerity measures to poor infrastructure. 

They have blocked main roads, burned tires, and threatened to topple the country's fragile coalition government. 

The army on Saturday called on protesters to "express themselves peacefully without harming public and private property."

Riot police and demonstrators confront each other during a protest targeting the government over an economic crisis, in Beirut, Lebanon, October 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Riot police and demonstrators confront each other during a protest targeting the government over an economic crisis, in Beirut, Lebanon, October 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

What triggers public anger?

Most Lebanese politicians have uncharacteristically admitted the demonstrations are spontaneous, rather than blaming outside influences. 

Nationwide protests started on Thursday in Lebanon fueled by the government's suggested 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 the GDP. 

Endorsing the 2020 state budget is one of the conditions imposed by CEDRE conference to unlock the fund of 11 billion U.S. dollars for Lebanon. 

Demonstrators gesture and chant slogans during a protest over deteriorating economic situation, in Beirut, Lebanon, October 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Demonstrators gesture and chant slogans during a protest over deteriorating economic situation, in Beirut, Lebanon, October 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

However, Lebanese authorities have shown an inability to adopt serious measures while resorting to new taxes on citizens. 

Also, in the last 30 years, successive governments did not opt for serious plans and strategies that would increase the treasury's revenues while reducing its expenses, leading to a hike in public debt to an alarming level. 

Citizens insisted that they should not be the one to pay for the government's failing policies. 

(With input from agencies)