Flights at Beirut's international airport were disrupted and the city's port was closed on Friday as workers staged a nationwide strike to protest against the state of the economy and politicians' failure to form a government eight months after elections.
The one-day strike was called by the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers, with the backing of the new cross-sectarian Sabaa Party.
"The strike is directed toward politicians who failed to produce a cabinet," said Bechara Asmar, head of the workers confederation. "Is demanding that a government solve the problems a shame?"
Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has not been able to form a new government since parliamentary elections last May because of bickering among rival groups in Lebanon's sectarian political system. Meanwhile, national debt of $84 billion (Dh308bn), or 155 per cent of the gross domestic product, and unemployment believed to be around 36 per cent are compounding concerns that the country will implode.
"The country is heading toward collapse ... this is what all the politicians are saying," said Victoria El Khoury Zwein, a co-founder of Sabaa. "What we are saying is that the country is in crisis and therefore we need a government that should be running affairs during this crisis and come up with a quick rescue plan."
Flights at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport were stopped for only an hour in the morning, but the capital's port remained closed and so did several other state institutions such as the National Social Security Fund and the electricity company.
However, Mohamad Shukeir, head of the chambers of commerce, industry and agriculture that represent the private sector, said Friday was a normal working day.
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Read more:
Lebanon's private sector ends 2018 on a grim note
Lebanon on brink of economic ruin, finance minister warns
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Poacher
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WITHIN%20SAND
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
More on Quran memorisation:
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Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Dir: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson
3/5
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
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Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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On sale: Now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
HOW TO WATCH
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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