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Fuel Hike Sparks Protests in Lebanon Amid Economic Strife
New tax adds 300,000 Lebanese pounds per 20 liters of gasoline and raises VAT from 11% to 12% to fund public sector pay and pensions amid economic hardship.
- On Tuesday, protesters blocked main roads in and around Beirut after Lebanon's Cabinet approved new taxes on Monday.
- Pay and pension boosts are intended to offset losses from the 2019 currency collapse, with officials saying increases cost about $800 million to support public employees and pensioners.
- On Monday, the Cabinet approved a 300,000 Lebanese pounds levy per 20 liters and increased the value-added tax from 11% to 12%, which still needs parliament approval.
- Amid rising prices, protesters called for leaders to step down over corruption and paralysis, while taxi driver Ghayath Saadeh said `consider us taxi drivers to be garbage` and warned `We will block all the roads, God willing, if they don’t respond to us` ahead of Ramadan.
- Also Monday, the Lebanese army reported the first phase of its disarmament plan was completed south of the Litani River, with the second phase covering areas between the Litani and the Awali rivers, expected to take four months.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Protests erupt across Lebanon after VAT and gasoline price hike
The Lebanese Cabinet's decision to increase gasoline prices and raise the value-added tax has sparked widespread protests and political opposition, with demonstrators blocking major roads in Beirut and other cities.
Fuel Hike Sparks Protests in Lebanon Amid Economic Strife
Fuel Hike Sparks Protests in Lebanon Amid Economic Strife Protesters took to the streets of Beirut, blocking major roads after Lebanon's Cabinet imposed new taxes to fund public salary hikes. The taxes included an increase in fuel prices, sparking widespread discontent among citizens already burdened by economic difficulties.Despite possessing one of the Middle East's largest gold reserves, Lebanon struggles with ongoing inflation and corruption…
Associated Press News
Protesters block Beirut roads after Cabinet approves new taxes that raise fuel prices
Protesters block major roads around Beirut after Lebanon’s cabinet approves new taxes that raise fuel prices to fund public pay hikes.
A 1% Increase in VAT Tax Is Very Dangerous: Here’s Why - Beirut Today
On Monday, reports indicated that the Cabinet approved a LBP300,000 gasoline tax and a 1% increase in value-added tax (VAT), under the pretext of supporting the underfunded public sector. The decision came as a shock for many across the country, and immediately raised concerns on what these decisions hold for consumer prices in the context of a continued multifaceted crisis. Any increase in VAT is likely to be translated into direct increase in t
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