Conflict Incident Report

A group of activists from the We Want Accountability civil society group assembled outside the revenues building of the Ministry of Finance morning, preventing employees from entering.

Security forces were at the scene. It did not appear that a decision had been taken for security to step in.

Wednesday’s demonstration came one day after civil society groups protested in front of Parliament in opposition to a tax hike intended to fund the long-disputed salary scale.

Parliament passed the public sector’s salary scale bill after five years during a heated legislative session marred by shouting matches between lawmakers, overriding opposition from banks and business leaders and a warning from the private sector of negative effects on the ailing economy if the motion was approved.

Berri adjourned the session until 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to continue discussion of the remaining items on the agenda, particularly revenues from proposed taxes to fund the salary increases for civil servants, including the military and public school teachers.