Saad Hariri
Lebanon’s teetering government approved an economic rescue plan Monday but the last-ditch move was met with deep distrust from a swelling protest movement seeking the removal of the entire political class.
A proposed tax on mobile messaging applications last week sparked a spontaneous, cross-sectarian mobilisation — at first dubbed a “WhatsApp revolution” — that has brought Lebanon to a standstill and united the people against its hereditary, ruling elite.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri seemed aware that the measures he announced — which include a deal on the 2020 budget and significant reforms that seemed unlikely only a week ago — would not quench the people’s thirst for change.
“These decisions are not designed as a trade-off. They are not to ask you to stop expressing your anger. That is your decision to make,” Hariri, himself an ex-prime minister’s son, said in a televised press conference.
Euphoric crowds partied deep into the night Sunday, leaving political and sectarian paraphernalia at home to gather under the cedar-stamped national flag, dance to impromptu concerts and chant often hilarious anti-establishment slogans.
They were back in front of the houses of government and on the main Martyrs’ Square on Monday to listen to Hariri’s announcement, which was broadcast on loudspeakers.
Hariri detailed some of the measures taken by his fractious cabinet, including a programme of privatisations, a decision to scrap new tax hikes and halving the generous salaries of ministers and lawmakers.
He also said his government would in three weeks approve the first batch of infrastructure projects funded by an $11-billion aid package pledged to Lebanon by international donors last year.
The premier said the economic rescue plan would “satisfy” international donors who took part in the CEDRE conference in Paris in 2018.
Lebanese economist Ghazi Wazni said it would also likely be well received by rating agencies and the International Monetary Fund.
Lebanon’s embattled political leaders have warned that the government’s resignation at this time would only deepen the crisis gripping the small Mediterranean country.
