Economic plan to include more taxes on cell phones and real estate
Lebanon, Economics, 9/24/1997

The adoption of an economic plan for 1998 will not take place during the cabinet's meeting, today at 10 a.m. in the presidential residence in Baabda. The meeting's agenda will be limited to the discussion of the 1998 budget draft bill and the possibility of its modification.

This development came as a direct consequence of the consultations that took place between the heads of state yesterday night. Prime Minister Hariri met with President Hrawi in Baabda in the afternoon and with speaker Nabih Berri in Ein-El-Tineh in the night.

While president Hrawi seemed, according to some sources, to be backing the prime minister's proposals, Speaker Berri announced his refusal of the increase in the price of gasoline and of any indirect taxes that will burden the poor. He said that the time is inappropriate for such increases. He also suggested that the cabinet listen to Interior Minister Michel Murr's proposals, which include increased taxes on cellular phones and on some real estate, construction licenses for additional stories, the sale of prestigious three-number license plates and the settlement of illegal construction on the coast.

The prime minister, on the other hand, declared that the discussion about the plan will continue with all the concerned parties until an agreement that will satisfy everyone is reached.

Previous Stories:
  The 1998 budget will be discussed tomorrow   (9/23/1997)
  The meeting of the central banks governor's council   (9/11/1997)
  The Lebanese budget deficit is 41.5 million dollars in one month   (9/1/1997)

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