(ANSAMed) - BEIRUT, APRIL 07 - In Lebanon in full economic and political crisis, today a massive strike by haulers and drivers of public transport is staged as a sign of protest over the surge in fuel prices, due to the lack of petrol at service stations , due to the increase in the cost of spare parts and the high cost of motor vehicle taxes.
This morning there are roadblocks from Tripoli in the north to Sidon in the south, passing through various areas of the capital Beirut.
Although the National Federation of Transporters had yesterday denied that it had joined the mobilization, participation in the strike by truckers and minivan drivers was massive from the early hours of the day.
Lebanon has been experiencing its worst economic crisis of the last 30 years for a year and a half.
A year ago the Lebanese financial system formally declared bankruptcy.
In a year and a half, the local lira lost about 90% of its value compared to the dollar and the euro.
The prices of consumer goods, largely imported, are skyrocketing.
And there is a shortage of electricity, petrol, medicines.
Furthermore, the pandemic has aggravated an already compromised situation.
According to the UN, more than half of Lebanese today are under the threshold of poverty and the middle class, once one of the pillars of Lebanon, is effectively disappearing.
(ANSAMed).