Public Transportation Drivers Stage Sit-Ins, Block Roads to Capital

Public transportation drivers blocked different roads around Lebanon on Wednesday some leading to the entrances of the capital Beirut protesting the government's failure to meet their long-time demands and a decision to privatize the Mechanical Inspection Authority.

The drivers began their moves in the early hours and blocked the Tripoli-Beirut highway in the north at the Qalamoun area, the seaside road and the Zahle-Ferzol highway.

Owners of vans, cisterns and the road transport sector blocked the Dora bridge with their vehicles demanding that the government considers their living conditions.

The public transport sector and the cab drivers protest discretion in the application of the traffic law and what they describe as a “deal” of the Mecanique (road-worthiness testing) that is set to privatize the Mechanical Inspection Authority.

One of the campaigners told LBCI that the protests also denounce the competition they face by Syrian drivers.

The protests and block off triggered heavy traffic delay in the already congested capital and several other regions.