Beirut tax protest turns angry

By Catherine Hardy with Reuters

Published on 19/03/2017 - 15:36

Thousands of people marched through Beirut to protest against a broad tax hike they say unfairly targets the less affluent sectors of the country's population.

There have been scuffles in Beirut after thousands gathered for a fourth day to protest against planned tax increases.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s car was pelted with water bottles as the demonstration turned angry.

Protesters broke through a security barrier, then lobbed missiles at police.

They are angry about plans for tax increases that they say would impact on the least well-off.

#Lebanon Hundreds of Lebanese protest taxes to fund new wage hike for fourth consecutive day https://t.co/f3zjdGXLUF Via DailyStarLeb</a></p>— News in Lebanon (NewsLB) 19 mars 2017

What prompted the protest?

Thousands of people marched through Beirut to protest against a broad tax hike they say unfairly targets the less affluent sectors of the country’s population.

It is reportedly the fourth consecutive day of protests.

Lebanese authorities are seeking to raise taxes to help agree a deal on public sector pay rises. It is part of a wider effort led by Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri to approve the country’s first state budget in 12 years.

Lawmakers approved several tax hikes last week, the most prominent being a one percentage point increase in sales tax.

Just arrived at tax protest in #Beirut – saw lots of security on the way, helicopter flying low #Lebanon #ضد_الضريبه_عالفقير pic.twitter.com/LUTB2YxHk9
— Ben James (@BenJourno) 19 mars 2017

Why are the protestors angry?

They say the government has squandered public money through shady public-private contracts and should instead plug the budget deficit by tackling corruption.

There have been calls from several civil society groups and some leading political parties in recent days for people to take to the streets and protest against the tax plans.