“We need greater focus on social changes here, not an increase in taxes for people who can’t afford it,” he said. Ghassan Ghosn, a trade union official, told Al Jazeera that low income earners will not be able to deal with new taxes that come with the reform package. Rafiq al-Hariri undertook a plan to rebuild Lebanon after the 1975-1990 civil war.ĭuring his first term as prime minister Lebanon owed $17 billion in debt, and used 89 per cent of government money to repay it.Īfter last year’s war, the debt figure has reached $41 billion – one of the highest levels in the world, in relation to the country’s population. This led to strikes and protests highlighting the increased financial pressure on its residents. ![]() Now it’s empty, and the government is not helping business owners,” she said. Beirut used to be a good place for business. Salwa, a restaurant owner in Beirut said she is not feeling this assistance is trickling through. ![]() “The objective of the reform programme is to stimulate growth, create employment, reduce poverty, and maintain social and political stability,” he said Jihad Azour, the finance minister told Al Jazeera that these changes are needed. ![]() In order to obtain financial aid and grants, the government approved an economic reform package presented at the Paris III donor’s conference in January, attended by western and Arab countries that back Fouad Siniora, the prime minister, and his administration comprised mainly from his ‘March 14th’ allies.
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