Arslan calls for strike ~ It is a time of struggles on several fronts

Source: NowLebnon, 05-05-2008
Head of the Democratic Party and former minister Talal Arslan said the general strike planned for Wednesday came at a "sensitive time in Lebanon's history."
"It is a time of struggles on several fronts," Arslan continued. He called for the return of Lebanon to constitutional life and underlined the need to end the current situation, "which constitutes a crossings for all forms of foreign intervention."
In a press conference at his residence in Khaldeh, Arslan said "the free" could not remain "silent over injustices," urging all Lebanese to participate in the general strike planned by the General Workers Union for May 7.
"Be at the front line on May 7, and do your best to make it the day that the poor... rise in the face of savage capitalism, in the face of the thieves living in the Grand Serail, and in the face of the taxes they impose on you" he stated.
Arslan said he would not respond to any "formal acts" made by the "illegal government" regarding the recent controversy over Hizbullah's control over the Beirut International Airport, sparked by Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt. "We will not respond to any decisions regarding the airport until May 7 has passed, because we do not want to escalate any friction," he remarked.
Arslan also noted that he had noticed that whenever there was an effort to attract investors, visitors, expatriates or tourists to Lebanon, "a conspiring, suspicious, and damned political speech" rose, fulfilling US Assistant Secretary of State David Welch's "promise of a hot summer in Lebanon."