Parts of Lebanon's public and private sectors have gone on strike called for by the country's labor unions to protest worsening economic conditions and months of stalemate in the formation of the new government.
Friday's strike was called for this week by the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers, with the backing of the new cross-sectarian Sabaa Party.
Beirut's port was closed, as were several other state institutions, such as the National Social Security Fund and the electricity company, which had the gates to its compound closed with chains.
Flights stopped for an hour in the morning at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport.
However, Mohammed Shukeir, head of the chambers of commerce, industry and agriculture that represent the private sector, said that Friday is a normal work day.
The Economic Committees, which represent Lebanon’s top businessmen and are headed by Shukeir, described the strike as “stupid,” saying it came during the holidays and the shopping season at the start of massive sales.
They warned that the Lebanese economy would lose more than 100 million dollars in one day as a result of mass closures.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Shukeir, who is set to get the telecommunications portfolio in the new cabinet, expressed concern that those who have called for the strike are the same parties that have caused the country’s political paralysis.
Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc member MP Mario Aoun made similar remarks, saying the strike’s timing is “suspicious,” adding “it will complicate things rather than achieve its objectives because it would lead to further economic losses.”
Aoun hinted that the labor unions planned for the strike after coming under pressure by some political parties.
But the head of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers, Beshara al-Asmar, said Friday’s action sought to “confront the political, economic and financial meltdown and the inability of the political class to form a new government.”
