General strike halts Lebanon

Beirut (Reuter) - Lebanon was paralysed yesterday by a general strike called by powerful trade unions accusing the government of irresponsible handling of a drifting economy. Shops, banks, universities, and other businesses were said to have been shut throughout the country, where the end of the civil war has been followed by economic crisis.

The umbrella General Labour Federation called the strike and threatened further protests if the Syrian-backed government did not succeed in rescuing the economy.