By Xinhua
Beirut : Lebanese army troops were put on high alert on Thursday over possible fresh outbreaks of unrest as farmers and the public transport syndicates observed a one-day strike to protest against worsening living conditions, local Naharnet news website reported.
Organizers of the strike said public transport and taxi drivers will stop working on Thursday, but insisted that there would be no demonstration or road closure.
Banks, businesses and most schools remained open, according to the report.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Lebanese transportation and agriculture sectors in the General Federation of Labor Unions called for a “democratic and peaceful” strike Thursday to protest the “worsening economic situation.”
On Monday night, angry demonstrators, protesting against repeated power failures, blocked traffic with burning rubber tires in three districts of Beirut.
Later Lebanese army patrols dispersed them and no casualties were reported. But Lebanese security forces arrested 11 of those involved in the riots at the scene, who were referred to the Military Tribunal on Tuesday.
Lebanese majority accused opposition parties of being behind the protests and strike in an effort to topple Prime Minister Fouad Seniora’s government.
Lebanon is currently facing the most serious deadlock since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. For the first time in its history, the presidential seat has been void since Nov. 24 of 2007 when former president Emile Lahoud stepped down.
The two conflicting political camps have agreed in principle to elect Army Commander Gen. Michel Suleiman to replace Lahoud, but are still divided on how to amend the constitution to allow for his election, as well as on the shape and policies of the future government.
A long-awaited parliamentary session to elect president was postponed on Sunday for a 13th time, from Jan. 21 to Feb. 11.
The presidency deadlock deepened the Lebanese political crisis as fears are mounting that failure in reaching a deal on the presidential candidate could result more violence in the country.