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Lebanon protests: Mass revolt continues as cabinet agrees reforms Lebanon protests: Huge crowds on streets as government acts
(about 1 hour later)
Lebanon's coalition government has approved a package of economic reforms as it attempts to quell the biggest protests in years. Lebanon's government has approved a package of economic reforms as it attempts to quell the biggest protests to sweep the country in over a decade.
The proposals reportedly involve scrapping new taxes and halving the salaries of top officials. Measures include steps to cut Lebanon's huge deficit, slashing politicians' salaries by half and giving financial help to families in poverty.
The government's move came as people took part in a fifth day of protests, amid calls for a general strike. In a televised address, PM Rafik Hariri said the protesters had been heard.
Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets to express their anger against corruption and austerity measures. It comes as demonstrators took part in a fifth day of protests and widespread strikes.
The Lebanese economy is struggling with low growth and high debt. Hundreds of thousands of Lebanese have taken to the streets, angry at corruption and austerity measures.
Proposed new taxes - including one on voice calls via WhatsApp and other messaging services that was quickly scrapped after being announced last Thursday - have sparked anger and deteriorating infrastructure has made power cuts and piles of uncollected rubbish part of daily life. The Lebanese economy is struggling with low growth and high debt, and a deteriorating infrastructure has made power cuts and piles of uncollected rubbish part of daily life.
What's the latest?What's the latest?
On Friday, Prime Minister Saad Hariri gave his coalition partners 72 hours to approve economic reforms to ease the crisis, hinting he might resign if they did not. The Lebanese cabinet passed the raft of measures at an emergency meeting on Monday. Mr Hariri had hinted at resigning if the package was not approved.
Four ministers from the right-wing Christian Lebanese Forces party resigned late on Saturday. Their leader, Samir Geagea, said he no longer believed the government could resolve the economic crisis. The prime minister appeared on television immediately afterwards, acknowledging protesters' grievances.
But on Sunday night, official sources told Reuters news agency that the other parties had agreed to: "These decisions are not designed as a trade-off," he said, "They are not to ask you to stop expressing your anger. That is your decision to make."
On Monday morning, President Michel Aoun chaired a cabinet meeting to discuss the reforms package at the Baabda palace. "Your movement is what led to these decisions that you see today," he added.
Before it started, Mr Aoun tweeted that what was happening on the streets reflected the "people's pain", but warned that "generalising corruption [allegations] against everyone carries big injustice".
The government must at least start by lifting banking secrecy for all current and future ministers, he added.
After several hours, the president said the cabinet had approved all of the reforms. A state budget for 2020 was also reportedly agreed.
Meanwhile, protesters blocked main roads in central Beirut and held fresh demonstrations. Many schools, banks and universities were closed.Meanwhile, protesters blocked main roads in central Beirut and held fresh demonstrations. Many schools, banks and universities were closed.
"It's a day of destiny for us. All our hard work and efforts in previous days and years were to get us to this moment," Roni al-Asaad, one of the protesters, told AFP news agency. " Lebanon is getting ruined more and more, day after day because of all the politicians," Sara, a 17-year-old protester, told the BBC.
"If they could have implemented these reforms before, why haven't they? And why should we believe them today?" "That's why the Lebanese are standing hand in hand against the corruption and against the bad economical state. This revolution is the key to a better Lebanon."
Why are people protesting?Why are people protesting?
The protests started on Thursday, when the proposed $6 (£4.60) monthly tax on WhatsApp voice calls was announced. The demonstrations began on Thursday, when a proposed $6 (£4.60) monthly tax on WhatsApp voice calls was announced.
The tax was scrapped, but the unrest escalated and demonstrators turned their focus to wider grievances with the government, including widespread corruption, economic mismanagement and poor public services.The tax was scrapped, but the unrest escalated and demonstrators turned their focus to wider grievances with the government, including widespread corruption, economic mismanagement and poor public services.
On Sunday, hundreds of thousands people gathered in in the capital and other cities for the biggest demonstrations seen in Lebanon since 2005.On Sunday, hundreds of thousands people gathered in in the capital and other cities for the biggest demonstrations seen in Lebanon since 2005.
Lebanon's economic situation has worsened in recent weeks, with the local currency losing value against the US dollar for the first time in two decades.Lebanon's economic situation has worsened in recent weeks, with the local currency losing value against the US dollar for the first time in two decades.
The Lebanese pound has been pegged at 1,500 to the dollar since 1997, but a shortage of dollars at local banks has led to the black market exchange rate rising to about 1,650.The Lebanese pound has been pegged at 1,500 to the dollar since 1997, but a shortage of dollars at local banks has led to the black market exchange rate rising to about 1,650.
Lebanon has one of the world's highest levels of public debt. At $86bn (£66bn), it is equivalent to more than 150% of gross domestic product (GDP). Lebanon has one of the world's highest levels of public debt. At $86bn, it is equivalent to more than 150% of gross domestic product (GDP).
The country's economy has also stagnated. Real GDP growth was only 0.2% in 2018 and is estimated to be -0.2% in 2019, according to the World Bank.The country's economy has also stagnated. Real GDP growth was only 0.2% in 2018 and is estimated to be -0.2% in 2019, according to the World Bank.
Last year, international donors pledged $11bn (£8.5bn) of aid and loans to boost Lebanon's economy. In return, the government committed to implement reforms that would help reduce its debt. Last year, international donors pledged $11bn of aid and loans to boost Lebanon's economy. In return, the government committed to implement reforms that would help reduce its debt.
Lebanon's public infrastructure, which was already stretched before more than one million refugees arrived from neighbouring Syria, is also ailing. Electricity and water supplies are disrupted frequently and rubbish often piles up on the streets.Lebanon's public infrastructure, which was already stretched before more than one million refugees arrived from neighbouring Syria, is also ailing. Electricity and water supplies are disrupted frequently and rubbish often piles up on the streets.
Observers say one of the striking features of the protests has been how demonstrators have remained above the sectarian divides that have caused so much conflict in the past.Observers say one of the striking features of the protests has been how demonstrators have remained above the sectarian divides that have caused so much conflict in the past.
Lebanon has long had a political system designed to balance power between the country's main religious groups.Lebanon has long had a political system designed to balance power between the country's main religious groups.