Lebanon government approves 2020 budget as protests go on

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri says the cabinet has approved a raft of economic reforms, including halving ministers' wages, and agreed on the 2020 budget in a bid to tackle fiscal crisis in the cash-strapped country and put an end to the nationwide demonstrations that have entered the fifth day.

Speaking at a press conference at Baabda Palace near the capital Beirut on Monday, Hariri said among the most important reforms is the approval of the 2020 state budget envisaging a deficit of 0.6 percent.

The government also agreed not to impose new taxes on citizens, with the central bank and financial institution set to participate in the deficit-reduction through an amount of 5.1 trillion Lebanese pounds ($3.4 billion), the Lebanese prime minister noted.

PressTV-Lebanon's Aoun voices solidarity with street protesters

Lebanon's president expresses solidarity with protesters, saying the recent demonstrations show "people's pain".

Hariri further noted that that there was an agreement that the salaries of former and current lawmakers and ministers should be cut by 50 percent, and that looted public funds should be returned.

He went on to say that the package of reforms includes abolishment of the ministry of information and other public institutions, noting that a study will be carried out to privatize the two government-owned mobile phone operators in the country –MTC Touch and Alfa.

PressTV-Lebanon's Hariri gives nod on reform package

Official sources say a cabinet meeting would be held on Monday to approve the reforms.

The government will provide healthcare for the elderly, and pump an additional 20 billion Lebanese pounds ($13.2 million) for the support of the most vulnerable people, speed up licensing for power plants, reduce power cuts by 50 percent next year and allocate 165 million dollars for housing loans, Hariri said.

The Lebanese prime minister also stressed the need for the implementation of agreements reached during the CEDRE Conference for international donors and investors to support Lebanon's economy held in Paris on April 6 last year, asserting that the measures could unlock $11 billion in Western donor pledges and help avert economic collapse.

Hariri underlined that ministries won't do any investments, and that the government will rely on foreign investments in a bid to stop money squandering in 2020.

PressTV-Protesters in Lebanon block roads for third day in row

Lebanese from all walks of life continue to head to the streets to take part in what is rapidly turning into an uprising for economic and social reforms.

The Lebanese prime minister added that he is ready to go for early parliamentary elections if that is what people on the streets are looking for.

“Protests across country restored Lebanon’s national identity, and broke sectarian barriers. I will not allow anyone to threaten or scare you (protesters) away. These steps are not intended to ask people to stop protesting and expressing their anger,” Hariri highlighted.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, secretary general of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, on Saturday said he was against calls for the resignation of the government, vowing not to allow anyone to “burn” Lebanon and cause chaos in the country.

PressTV-Hezbollah chief says 'opposed' to govt. resignation

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has expressed his opposition to the possible resignation of the Lebanese government, vowing not to let anyone destroy the country.

Nasrallah also stated that the Hezbollah party was “determined to work hard” to solve the country’s problems and “not allow anyone to drown this country and take it to the abyss.”

PressTV-Protest in Lebanon over tax hike plan

Scores of people are protesting in Beirut over the government's plans to impose new taxes amid a harsh economic crisis in the country.

Growth in Lebanon has plummeted in the wake of endless political deadlocks and an economic crisis in recent years.

The country hosts 1.5 million Syrian refugees, and their presence is often blamed for putting pressure on the already struggling economy.

Unemployment stands at more than 20 percent, according to official figures.

The Lebanese Finance Ministry says the national debt is hovering around $85 billion, which accounts for more than 150 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Successive governments have failed to address a waste management crisis or improve the electricity grid, which is plagued by daily power cuts.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk