Lebanon Observes Strike Over Economic Situation

Lebanon on Thursday observed a nationwide one-day general strike called by the General Confederation of Workers, to protest the country’s economic and political woes.

The strike, which has also gained the support of some political parties who are also in power, was called mainly to protest the continuous deterioration of the financial situation and the delay in forming a government.

Several streets across the capital and a number of key highways in the south and north of the country were blocked.

The head of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers, Bechara al-Asmar, called in a speech on Lebanese politicians to stop their bickering and divisions and form a national salvation government.

“It is sad what is happening in Lebanon, You are killing the Lebanese people,” he said, adding: “We are in front of an inevitable catastrophe.

“Stop, and start making concessions, and form the government to tackle the deteriorating economic situation.”

Lebanon is suffering one of the world’s worst economic crises in more than 150 years, according to the World Bank.

The Lebanese pound has lost about 90 per cent of its value against the dollar since 2019.

The country has been under pressure from international financing institutions to introduce economic reforms and act against corruption amid a political deadlock on the formation of a new government.