Lebanon broils as political and social turmoil prevail
Situation in Lebanon worsens as political escalation carries on and analysts fear from security repercussions. In fact, Lebanese Cabinet which held a marathon session considered Hezbollah’s communication network as illegal and illegitimate. To that, Lebanese General Federation of Labor Unions called to a General Strike on Wednesday.
After a marathon Cabinet session that lasted until 4:30 a.m. Lebanese Cabinet decided to consider Hezbollah’s communication network expanded all along Lebanese territory as being illegal, illegitimate and breaches the sovereignty of the country and public funds. Lebanese Cabinet refused the allegation saying that protecting Hezbollah requires establishing such a network and to consider it an arm complementary to Hezbollah’s arms and called to remove the network. The Cabinet also refused to link this issue to the Israeli or Syrian or international jamming that the government decried and still decries and try to take it out each time.
To that, the government decided to provide Arab League and International Organizations with the details of this new attack against the rule of law in Lebanon and to unveil the role of Iranian committees in this concern.
This session was held in the middle of escalating political tension and media confrontations in a way that raises concerns regarding the security situation especially since the repercussions of spying on Beirut airport and communication network issues were linked to the Lebanese General Federation of Labor Unions General Strike that will be carried out on Wednesday. In fact, politicians uttered fears that the general strike could turn out to become a new stage in the broiling political combat especially after opposition MP Michel Aoun called employers and employees to participate in May 7 demonstrations in order to oust the government which is the cause of Lebanon’s problems.
However, the executive board of Lebanese General Federation of Labor Unions affirmed that the strike is still ongoing but stressed that it shall maintain a peaceful aspect and didn’t announce any program for its movement or if it intends to organize demonstrations. Nevertheless, Central Security Council who was held in the presence of Interior Minister Hassan Al Sabeh and made the essential security preparations. In fact, opposition forces will determine their stances in the next few hours according to the decisions of Lebanese General Federation of Labor Unions and on the light of Cabinet decisions.