Lebanon scraps WhatsApp tax as protests rage

2019-10-19 06:54:59

Protests raged for a second day in Lebanon despite the government backtracking on plans to tax WhatsApp calls. The government had announced a $0.20 (£0.16) daily charge on voice calls made through WhatsApp and other apps. But it scrapped the plans hours later amid clashes between security forces and protesters. Thousands have protested, calling on the government to step down over its handling of an economic crisis. Dozens were reported injured on Thursday as protesters burned tyres and security forces fired tear gas. The demonstrations were the biggest seen in Lebanon for years. On Friday, Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said the country was going through an "unprecedented, difficult time" but stopped short of resigning. He issued a 72-hour deadline to his "partners in government" to stop blocking reforms.