Lebanon protests over proposed taxes escalate

PM Saad Al Hariri has cancelled a cabinet meeting amid nationwide protests.

Demonstrators in Lebanon are blocking major roads across the country in a second day of protests against proposed new taxes, which come amid a severe economic crisis.
Hundreds of people burned tires on highways and intersections Friday, sending up clouds of black smoke in scattered protests.
Two Syrian workers died on Thursday when they were trapped in a shop that was set on fire by rioters. Dozens of people were injured.
The street demonstrations began on Thursday evening and quickly escalated into some of the biggest protests in years. They were sparked when government announced plans for new taxes on such items as voice calls made through messaging applications, including Whatsapp.
The protests could plunge Lebanon into a political crisis with unpredictable repercussions for the economy, which has been in steady decline.
PM cancels cabinet meeting
Prime Minister Saad Al Hariri has cancelled a cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday amid nationwide protests, Al Manar TV quoted the interior minister as saying.

• MENA