Iran Press/ Middle East: Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri gave a 72-hour deadline on Friday to his “partners in government” to stop obstructing reforms and threatened to take a different approach otherwise, but stopped short of resigning.
Hariri, addressing massive protests across the country, said Lebanon was going through an “unprecedented, difficult time”. Many of the protesters are calling on him to step down, and they are demanding a new government, Reuters reported.
Hariri said his efforts to enact reforms have been blocked by others in government whom he did not name.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of protesters blocked roads, burned tyres and marched across Lebanon for a second day on Friday, demanding the removal of a political elite they accuse of corruption and looting the economy.
Across the country, they chanted for top leaders, including President Michel Aoun, and Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri to step down.
Addressing protesters from the presidential palace, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Aoun’s son-in-law, said the government must work to stop corruption and avoid imposing new taxes.
“Any alternative to the current government would be far worse and might lead the country into catastrophe and strife,” said Bassil, dismissing calls for the government to resign.
The latest unrest was prompted by anger over inflation, new tax proposals including a fee on WhatsApp voice calls, and the rising cost of living.
211/104
Read More:
Nasrallah, Basil review Lebanon's internal situation
Violent protests rock Lebanon
