Nationwide Strike Led by Transportation Unions Shuts Down Lebanon
A nationwide general strike led by public transportation and labor unions shut down Lebanon on Thursday. The strikes were joined by protesters who shut down the major highways throughout Lebanon, as well as roads leading to and inside cities and towns. The road closures were meant to protest the skyrocketing fuel prices in Lebanon due to the government’s cancellation of subsidies. The strikes also closed stores, schools and universities, according to The Associated Press.
The protests began at 5 a.m. and were scheduled to last for 12 hours, though things seemed to have ended by mid-afternoon, The Associated Press reported.
The Lebanese pound has lost more than 90% of its value in the past two years and about 80% of people in Lebanon live in poverty. The Lebanese pound fell to its lowest level on Tuesday, reaching 33,500 to the dollar.
