Harb: Lebanese government responsible for strike

MP Butros Harb considered that the government is responsible for the general strike called for by the Syndicates Coordinating Body, and the losses incurred by students and public administrations as a result. "I cannot but express solidarity with the call of thousands of teachers and employees, in what they see as their rightful demands regarding the salary scale series that would be fair to their exerted efforts and performance," said Harb in his statement on Sunday. He added that said wages have been freezed for the past years due to the deteriorating economic conditions enforced by escalating political and military tension. Harb considered the government's careless manner in its approach of daily-living matters as being the main factor that has aggravated the level of confrontation by teachers and employees. "Instead of adopting a serious and honest dialogue from the start, in a bid to reach tangible solutions, the government has given out promises for more than a year, only to abandon them afterwards," added Harb. Hence, he held the government responsible for the current calls for general strike. Harb urged the cabinet to rise to its responsibilities in ensuring dialogue that would allow for possible solutions in favor of the Lebanese people and Lebanese work force in all sectors.