Hariri's urgent decision after WhatsApp protests flare up in Lebanon
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Thursday issued an urgent decision after protests erupted in Beirut and several other regions over new tax laws imposed on the application of whatsapp and others.
The Lebanese channel Al-Jadeed quoted the Lebanese Minister of Communications, Mohammed Shuqir, as saying that he had received a call from the Lebanese Prime Minister about the study related to the Tax "WhatsApp".
"President Hariri asked to stop the study on WhatsApp, and not to implement anything and no additional fees on WhatsApp or the like," said Shaqir.
As Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said: "People have the right to express their rejection in a peaceful way, and it is also important for people to know that we did not agree to any decision about WhatsApp yesterday, nor about other taxes."
"We are committed to the tax-free budget, as we have presented it to the Council of Ministers."
On Sunday, hundreds of Lebanese gathered in downtown Beirut and other parts of the capital to protest the Lebanese government's decision to impose new taxes on the telecommunications and fuel sector.
Hundreds of angry demonstrators marched through downtown Beirut, after they cut off the main Ring Bridge in the Lebanese capital, as part of a protest movement that was invited on social media, without any political cover.