Hundreds of Lebanese protest against new gov't

Hundreds of Lebanese on Sunday protested in capital Beirut's downtown against the new government and its policies, the National News Agency reported.

"If you really want to fight against corruption, bring back the money that was stolen from Paris 1, 2 and 3 conferences just as you are planning to steal CEDRE money as well," civil society protesters said.

Protesters called upon the government to impose taxation on the interest rate on deposits for big depositors while increasing income taxes for banks which are the institutions that generate the most revenues in the country.

Protesters also asked officials to demand every minister and parliament member to provide official statements for their bank accounts in Lebanon and outside the country.

"If you want to fight against corruption, then stop tax evasion and money squandering in the public sector," they said.

Protesters also called for their rights of access to 24-hour electricity, housing, medical coverage and job opportunities.

Lebanon formed a new government end of last month, breaking a nine-month political deadlock in the country.

The new government is faced with the challenge of implementing serious economic and financial reforms.

However, the Lebanese people seem to have lost confidence in the country's politicians due to their failures to deliver on previous promises of guaranteeing necessary public services to citizens.