BEIRUT (Xinhua) – Lebanon's public transportation drivers will halt their protests until the beginning of September, local media reported Monday.
"We have decided to stop all our protests until next month," head of the General Labor Union Bechara El Asmar announced Monday following his meeting with President Michel Aoun, according to Elnashra, an independent online newspaper.
Lebanon's public transportation drivers threatened last Thursday to block the airport road this week if Lebanese authorities do not meet their demands.
Public drivers called on the government to take control of the automotive inspection centers and to keep current employees while protecting their rights.
Unions representing public transportation drivers have on many occasions voiced their opposition to the privatization of the automotive inspection centers and the increase in the cost of automotive inspections.
The drivers' demands also included the need by the government to track cars with forged plates in addition to stopping foreign drivers from operating and competing with local drivers.
They also urged for putting an end to the chaotic increase in fuel prices and drafting a local transportation strategy to solve traffic problems.
Meanwhile, head of Lebanese drivers' syndicate Bassam Tlais said that public drivers will hold a meeting on Sept. 3 to discuss next measures to put pressure on the government to implement their demands.