Home Economy Lebanese financial crisis amid protesters-police clashes

Lebanese financial crisis amid protesters-police clashes

On Monday, Lebanese protesters hurled rocks and metal barricades at security forces blocking a road near parliament.

These clashed happens amid a budget debate as Lebanon grapples with a deep financial crisis.

Some protesters have rejected a new cabinet formed last week.

They accuse the political elite of ignoring demands that include an independent government and fighting corruption.

MPs are expected to vote on a budget that was first drafted by the Saad al-Hariri-led government that quit in October.

Parliament’s finance and budget committee has introduced changes since then.

Its chairman, Ibrahim Kanaan, stated 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.