Nod for sweeping reforms in Lebanon

Lebanon’s Cabinet approved sweeping reforms yesterday, hoping to appease the thousands of protesters that have taken to the streets for the last five days to demand the government step down. Prime Minister Saad Hariri described the measures as a “financial coup,” saying no government in Lebanon’s history has taken such steps before.

As Hariri’s speech was aired live on all local TV stations, thousands of protesters who had gathered in central Beirut chanted: “The people want to bring down the regime.”

Hundreds of thousands participated in marches Sunday in Beirut and other cities nationwide. The massive protests have turned into a widening revolt against the country’s sectarian status quo and the entire political elite.