BEIRUT – On Monday, protesters in Lebanon threw rocks and metal barricades at security forces blocking the road close to parliament. This comes ahead of a Lebanon budget debate as it grapples with a deep financial crisis.
A few protesters rejected the new cabinet formed last week and the political elite were accused of ignoring demands including independent government and the fight against corruption.
The parliament members are to vote on a budget first drafted by the government which quit in October due to protests.
Parliament’s finance and budget committee has introduced changes since then. Its chairman, Ibrahim Kanaan, told Reuters on Friday the latest projection was for a budget with a deficit of 7% instead of the originally hoped-for 0.6%, reflecting the crisis.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.