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Gas Station Srike Paralyzes Country as Crisis Deepens

Associated Press

   BEIRUT - Angry motorists blocked roads with their vehicles in Beirut
   and other parts of Lebanon on Friday, creating traffic jams to protest
   a strike by owners of gas stations demanding an increase in gasoline
   prices as the local currency drops and the nation slides deeper into a
   financial crisis.

   The road closures around Lebanon came as President Michel Aoun headed a
   meeting of the country's top economic officials to discuss the rapidly
   deteriorating economic and financial situation in the country.

   Nationwide protests that began Oct. 17 over widespread corruption and
   mismanagement have worsened Lebanon's worst economic and financial
   crises since the 1975-90 civil war ended, as did the resignation of the
   government late last month. Although Hariri resigned his government on
   Oct. 29, Aoun has not yet set a date for binding consultations with
   heads of parliamentary blocs to name a new premier.

   The protests were initially sparked by new taxes but quickly evolved
   into calls for the entire political elite to step aside.
   

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