Protest Outside Finance Ministry over Salaries of MPs

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Civil society activists held a protest near the finance ministry in Beirut on Tuesday to stop the transfer of the salaries of lawmakers whom they accuse of being corrupt.

Police immediately deployed in the area to stop the protesters from entering the building similar to when demonstrators stormed the environment ministry earlier this month to demand the minister's resignation.

The activists from “We Want Accountability” and "Go Away" also protested when two of the movement's members were unable to leave the building after police blocked the entrance.

Beirut police chief Brig. Bassam al-Ayyoubi was quick to arrive to the scene of the protest.

He accused the activists of trying to storm the ministry but said security forces stopped them form entering the building.

“We had to resort to the streets to hold MPs accountable. They are not doing their job,” said one demonstrator.

“Our protest is peaceful,” he added.

"Our presence here is symbolic,” said another protester. "We will continue to hold similar protests. Our path is long."

Later, an activist read a statement saying the people are paying taxes but the authorities are spending the money on a parliament that is not functioning.

“We Want Accountability” said the finance ministry is making transfers at the expense of the poor people.

“We call for stopping the transfer of the salaries of the lawmakers,” said the statement read by the activist.

“There should be a fair electoral law based on proportionality that considers Lebanon a single district,” she added.

Civil society has been holding protests since the trash crisis erupted in July following the closure of the Naameh landfill that received waste from Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

The demonstrations grew into a popular uprising against the political class that has dominated Lebanon since its civil war ended in 1990.

Comments 12
Thumb _mowaten_ 15 September 2015, 11:53

100%
all lebanese are behind this movement, you'll recognize the infiltrators by seeing who on this forum is foaming against it.

Default-user-icon ya some headless dude (Guest) 15 September 2015, 13:28

You'll recognize us the infiltrators by the tattoos and pendants of our bee2a al 7adinat lil anointed iranian terrorists mercs we proudly display, a tradition we stole from the drug gangs in south America.

Thumb _mowaten_ 15 September 2015, 14:41

did someone just bark?

Default-user-icon ya some headless dude (Guest) 15 September 2015, 14:53

I donno are you in an earshot of a sewer, a barker hides in there since 2006.

Default-user-icon mowaten.chimp.313 (Guest) 15 September 2015, 15:39

those with the 313 tattoo , agreed mowaten

Default-user-icon mowaten.darta (Guest) 15 September 2015, 16:29

is that all you have to say mowaten? Do you consider what you wrote a political opinion?

Default-user-icon observer (Guest) 15 September 2015, 18:16

really sad lonely life you lead mowaten, very sad!

Thumb thepatriot 15 September 2015, 15:09

momo... a tattooed guy belonging to Amal was recognized among the trouble makers. But i think that we can agree about the fact that these trouble makers are not what counts here. What counts is that the people are fed up and express it..

Default-user-icon surfin.bird (Guest) 15 September 2015, 16:28

hello thepatriot
I am a close friend of flamethrower and i vote on his behalf whenever he asks me to. He wants to know why he was banned and treated like a diseased leper?

Default-user-icon A Templar (Guest) 15 September 2015, 11:54

There is a silent majority in Lebanon that is no longer silent. All Lebanese law makers /politicians are corrupt and starting to feel under pressure by the Civil society. However, it is the same silent majority who allowed corruption to go on, because of its civil nature and due to Lebanon's rooted Feudalism system.

It is the beginning of real change..

Default-user-icon mowaten A Templar (Guest) 15 September 2015, 16:30

well said and nothing can be added or should be added.
perfectly cooked

Thumb _mowaten_ 15 September 2015, 14:41

↑ hateful & frustrated sectarian