Little Wars

THE UNREST OF 2007

LITTLE WARS

20070124 - Toufoul Abou-Hodeib

Hamra Street at the intersection with Jeanne d'Arc.

When the opposition called for a general strike on Tuesday the 23rd they were aware that given the geo-confessional composition of Lebanon, the strike would have limited success. Furthermore, the banking and economic sectors' call for considering Tuesday a normal working day underscored their de facto alliance with the ruling coalition. Many employees felt, rightfully or not, that they were under threat of being laid off if they were to join the strike - a kiss of death in the current economic situation.

The opposition, therefore, opted for a show of power. Rather than reveal the degree of active support behind the opposition, the strike was to reflect the breadth and multiconfessional character of the opposition's support base. Tens of thousands of supporters from different confessional backgrounds took to the streets of their regions across Lebanon and began cutting off the streets in the early hours of the morning in an attempt to enforce the strike. Despite the opposition's emphasis on the peaceful nature of these actions, even regular Lebanese realized that cutting off roads would be considered a provocation by many and that ensuing clashes were inevitable.

FOR MORE READING CLICK HERE