Strike cripples Lebanon in bid to topple government

Published on Tuesday 23 January 2007 12:39

THOUSANDS of Lebanese protesters blocked main roads in Beirut and around the country with rubble and burning tyres today at the start of a general strike called by the opposition to try to topple the government.

A gunman fired on protesters in the ancient Christian town of Byblos, wounding three people, security sources said. Soldiers arrested the gunman and seized weapons from his house. Two protesters were wounded in a similar shooting in Batroun. Elsewhere, some scuffles broke out between protesters and pro-government loyalists, especially in Christian areas.

The roads to Lebanon's only international airport and to Beirut port were blocked and several Arab and international airlines suspended flights to Beirut, though the national flag carrier Middle East Airlines made no announcement on its plans.

The airport remained operational despite the protest but few workers showed up and passengers were unable to get there or to leave

Officials denied reports that Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, who will attend an aid conference in Paris on Thursday, had left Lebanon for France shortly before the strike began.