The Lebanese government has approved a series of steps to tackle an economic crisis that has sparked a historic wave of anti-government protests. However, the protests continued after the measures announced by Hariri in a televised address from the presidential palace.
The measures included a symbolic step in halving the salaries of the current and former presidents, ministers, and deputies, as well as announcing long-overdue reforms.
Hariri explained that "the government plans to approve within three weeks the first phase of an investment program pledged by donors to finance $11 billion and was conditional on the implementation of reforms," pointing out that "the government has taken measures in the fight against corruption and anti-waste, and approved the 2020 budget without taxes, and with a deficit of 0.63%, considered to be the biggest achievement of the government in many years."
Hariri addressed the protestors saying: "I would like to say a word to the young men and women and all Lebanese who express their anger and demand their dignity and their right to the street. These decisions that we have taken today may not fulfill your demands, but it is a first step to start solutions".
Source (CNBC Arabic, Edited)
