Rare mass demonstrations broke out across Lebanon on Thursday night as tens of thousands took to the streets calling for the downfall of the current government, which is headed by an ally of the West.

In the biggest protests in the country in years erupted in the capital Beirut and other major cities over the government's plan to impose new taxes during a severe economic crisis, with people taking their anger out on politicians they accuse of corruption and decades of mismanagement.

The demonstrations were sparked by a decision announced earlier in the day by the telecommunications minister that it would be introducing a fee for calls made on WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook call and FaceTime.

Mohamed Choucair said that he would hold a press conference next week to explain all the details behind the government proposal aimed at bringing in close to $200 million in revenues to the state, but he was quickly forced to back down as anger grew.

Hours later a number of youth gathered in Downtown Beirut and closed down a main road behind the Grand Serail where ministers had gathered for a Cabinet meeting.

The participation of protesters grew and reached tens of thousands late into the night. In the south of the country in the port city of Sidon and further toward Nabatieh, locals closed down highways and vandalised political parties’ offices, including a Hizbollah MPs office.