Day of chaos in Lebanon as taxi, bus and truck drivers block roads

Day of chaos in Lebanon as taxi, bus and truck drivers block roads

BEIRUT: Scores of taxi, bus and truck drivers in Lebanon began a three-day strike on Wednesday, blocking roads and demanding that the government address surging prices and the wider economic crisis. It was the second time in three weeks that unions have organized industrial action, forcing schools, universities and many shops to close. The protesting drivers are demanding subsidized fuel for their vehicles, among other things. The cabinet has ignored the demands during marathon meetings to discuss this year’s austerity budget. Angry drivers set tires on fire in Beirut and blocked the main entrances to the capital and its suburbs with their cars. There were similar scenes in other major cities in several regions. Wednesday’s protests were scheduled to continue until 3 p.m. but ended at noon following objections from people stuck in their cars on blocked roads. The demonstrations forced the closure of public and private institutions and businesses, as employees could not get to work. Bassam Tlais, head of the Unions and Syndicates of Land Transport Sector, acknowledged the inconvenience to commuters and reduced the demands of unions to one: “For the cabinet to approve what was decided to support the land-transport sector, with implementation to take place