Mayors (Mukhtars) across Lebanon took to the streets on Tuesday in protest against the exorbitant increase in civil registration document fees introduced in the 2024 budget.

Similar demonstrations took place in Saida and Tripoli a day earlier.

Amendments to Articles 40, 41, and 42 in the 2024 budget increased the cost of the Mukhtar’s stamp from 1,000 to 50,000 Lebanese pounds (LBP).

As a result, obtaining an individual or family status record now costs a minimum of 600,000 Lebanese pounds, including 400,000 LBP for stamps.

A civil status record, which previously cost 250,000 LBP, can now amount to around one million LBP, including stamps.

In the meantime, citizens have not been able to proceed with their transactions due to the unavailability of stamps.