Tension was high in Beirut on Wednesday evening as anti-government protesters were intimidated by scores of young men supporting former prime minister Saad Hariri, who is expected to be nominated as premier again on Thursday.
About 40 protesters who gathered in late afternoon in downtown Beirut planned to march to Mr Hariri’s house to protest against his return to power, demonstrator Cherine Zein said.
But his supporters organised a counter-protest, forcing the demonstrators to stay downtown. The army and riot police intervened to separate the two groups.
Resident Ali was sitting with friends smoking shisha on Martyrs' Square when he saw "about 150 young men" arrive on motorbikes and burn down a giant cut-out fist that had become a symbol of Lebanon's anti-government movement.
“They insulted the revolution and parked the motorbikes in the middle of the road," Ali said.
"One of them had a bottle of fuel that he poured on the fist and they set it alight.
"I tried to stop them but they attacked me. They were chanting 'God, Hariri and Tarik Jdideh'."
Tarik Jdideh is a neighbourhood of Beirut that is famous for supporting Mr Hariri’s political party, the Future Movement.
By 7pm Mr Hariri’s supporters, who also broke a giant phoenix built by Lebanese artist Hayat Nazer in late 2019 in Martyrs' Square, had left downtown Beirut.
The Internal Security Forces said it arrested four people and was conducting an investigation into the incident.
Mr Hariri is the only candidate for prime minister and is expected to be chosen by parliamentary blocs during binding consultations on Thursday.
Caretaker prime minister Hassan Diab stepped down after a devastating explosion in Beirut’s port that killed at least 190 people on August 4.
After the incident at Martyrs' Square, Mr Hariri’s Future Movement denied any involvement and urged its followers “adhere to the highest levels of restraint".
Early on Wednesday evening, a small group of protesters escorted by riot police and soldiers marched towards Mr Hariri’s house.
They sang “Rise up Beirut,” and chanted “Solidere is dirty, dirty, and Hariri is the same”.
Solidere is a private development company that rebuilt downtown Beirut after the 1975-1990 civil war and was founded by Mr hariri's assassinated father and former prime minister Rafik Hariri.
Protesters have criticised Solidere in the past for only catering to the rich.
“We don’t want Hariri to come back. He is part of this corruption,” said Ms Zein, echoing widespread anger at the corruption of successive Lebanese governments.
“It’s going to take time but we’ll keep fighting.”
Ali said the burnt fist in Martyrs' Square would be replaced.
“My eight-year-old son called me crying," he said. "He said, ‘Look Papa, the fist is burning'. But tomorrow we’ll build another one.
It was first burnt down by an unknown man on a motorbike in late November, after it had been attacked by supporters of Hezbollah and Amal, two Iran-backed political parties that criticised the anti-government movement.
The fist was immediately rebuilt but the protest movement has significantly weakened since.
Mr Hariri repeatedly supported the protests since his resignation on October 29, 2019, nearly two weeks after the anti-government movement started.
Protesters called for the resignation of the entire political class, but Mr Hariri was the only politician to step down.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
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Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
