GFLU Delays Demo for Security Reasons, Upholds Strike

GFLU Delays Demo for Security Reasons, Upholds Strike

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07/05/2008 The General Federation of Labor Unions has postponed a demonstration that was scheduled for Wednesday morning to protest against the unconstitutional government of Fouad Saniora's harsh economic policies. A general strike however continued to prevail across the country and some roads have been closed including the one leading to the Beirut international airport. In a press conference, GFLU president Ghassan Ghosn explained the reasons behind postponing the demonstration. He accused Saniora's government of dividing workers in order to prevent them from taking part in Wednesday's demonstration. The GFLU chief said that the Labor Union is neither opposition nor loyalty adding that he had hoped that the people's rightful demands would join both rival blocs to press for improving their living conditions. Ghosn also accused Lebanese authorities of failing to provide protection for demonstrators after receiving threats 'which led to suspending the demonstration." The demonstration was supposed to pass from the Barbir area, to Cornish al-Mazraa all the way to Hamra. However pro-ruling bloc parties threatened the Labor Union that they will attack the demonstrators if they pass near their areas, especially the Tariq el-Jedidah area. A security official said a grenade was thrown in the seafront Cornish al-Mazraa district of the capital leaving five people injured including two Lebanese army soldiers. The grenade was tossed from a building in the Tariq el-Jedidah area, a stronghold for the Future Movement. According to witnesses, Future Movement members were seen on top of buildings in the area monitoring Cornish al-Mazraa with binoculars and in many cases snipers were clearly seen . Young men near the airport could be seen setting tires on fire and overturning rubbish bins. The army brought in trucks loaded with sand that was dumped along the airport road located in the southern suburbs of Beirut. The strike was called by the country's main labor union to force the unconstitutional government of Fouad Saniora to raise the monthly minimum wage, which has been unchanged since 1996.