Conflict Incident Report

BEIRUT: Lebanese  took to the streets in protest to the Parliament's newly approved taxes.

Demonstrators converged on Beirut's Riad al-Solh Square under the slogan "Challenge Injustice," holding the Lebanese flag as others flocked to Al-Nour Square in the northern city of Tripoli and Nejmeh Square in the southern city of Sidon. In Sarafand-Saida, a group of persons  blocked the Saida-Tyre main road at the highway with burning tires to protest against the newly imposed/planned taxes.

The Beirut protest, which was organized by the League of Technical School Teachers and the We Want Accountability civil society movement among others, was also joined by the Kataeb Party and the National Liberal Party.

Protesters reject new laws approved by the Parliament that lawmakers say can only be funded with higher taxes.

Instead they are calling for an end to the squandering of public funds to finance the new wage hike for civil servants and public and private teachers.

People began rallying at 5:00 p.m. in the Samir Kassir Square in Downtown Beirut and marched towards the nearby Riad al-Solh Square.

Lawmakers have approved since Wednesday more than seven taxes and levies including a 1 percentage point increase to the value-added tax (VAT), raising it to 11 percent.

These adjustments will affect everyday purchases.

Kataeb Party lawmakers were the only ones to object the measures.

The cost of the bill that would offer public sector workers, including teachers, new salary packages is estimated at LL1.2 trillion ($800 million).

Among the taxes and levies, Parliament increased fees on stamps from LL3,000 ($2) to LL4,000 and set the tax on 1 ton of cement at LL6,000. They imposed additional fees of of LL250 per pack of cigarettes, LL250 per pack of tobacco and LL500 per box of cigars.

Joyce Gemayel, the wife of former Kataeb chief Amin Gemayel, joined the protest.

"I stand by the Lebanese people who should have their righteous rights. The people should demonstrate to live in dignity," she said.

Anthony Labaky, the head of Kataeb's Students and Youth Department, said that "protesters will have a long night and will seek to pressure the corrupt authority [to back down] in an attempt to carry out changes and stop the imposed taxes."

Deputy Speaker Farid Makari was compelled to adjourn the session due to lack of quorum, accusing Kataeb chief Sami Gemayel of inciting the protests and delaying the endorsement of the salary hike.

Makari urged authorities to arrest and prosecute protesters who are holding banners that insult lawmakers.