The Kataeb party on Tuesday considered that Lebanon and the Lebanese had been dealt a blow with the budget approved to defend the interests of the ruling class, which dodged its duties and opted, in a replay of 2017’s sin, to accept an appalling fictitious budget that would destroy the rest of Lebanon's economy.

“The effects of this budget will cause the public sector salary rise to be squandered in record time. Printing more money and raising inflation will reduce the ability of everyone in Lebanon to make purchases,” read a statement issued by the Kataeb political bureau following its weekly meeting at the party’s headquarters in Saifi.

“According to the salary scale bill dated 2017, the party reiterates its call for designating specialist businesses to scrutinize public employment in an effort to abolish the phony ones that burden the public administration, holding succeeding administrations accountable for such a violation,” it said.

The statement also stipulated that such a budget penalized those who paid taxes and abided by the law while encouraging them to dodge taxes and switch to the parallel economy; our economy would thus become unlawful.

“The Kataeb party stressed the necessity to create a clear plan for economic advancement by rejecting and voting against this budget and its precedents. It would acknowledge the necessary reforms and pave the way for genuine negotiations that would persuade the IMF and donor States to restore their faith in the country and allow it to move into the recovery phase. Otherwise, while the Lebanese endure daily humiliation, we waste our time by just moving ahead,” it noted.

The political bureau emphasized the necessity for coordinated efforts to reverse reality and elect a bold president and cautioned against taking the presidential vacancy too seriously as the governing reality.

“The president must put an end to the agony of the Lebanese people and all procrastinations in solving issues. He shall have enough authority to tackle every dilemma, from Hezbollah weapons to open borders. He must have a clear grasp of how to stop the further collapse, be able to communicate with the outside world, and restore Lebanon's foreign relations before a government can start developing the required plans to stop the deterioration,” it read.

The Kataeb political bureau lamented that the fate of the Lebanese was to die at sea to escape death in their country, and while expressing condolences to the families of the victims, it held the ruling system responsible for the negligence and disregard for people's lives.