Protest resumes over lack of Jal al-Dib bridge replacement

BEIRUT: Tens of people caused heavy traffic for approximately three hours Tuesday morning in a protest against the government's failure to construct an alternative bridge to the one it dismantled earlier this year.

Metn residents holding Lebanese flags blocked the Beirut-Jounieh highway in an on-and-off manner Tuesday morning while motorists were left stranded in their vehicles.

Some protesters distributed Kanafeh to drivers while others sat down on mats, smoking nargileh and playing cards.

During the protest, which saw the closure of the highway several times, many drivers left their cars on the side of the highway and walked to their workplace. Others took out portable chairs from their cars and took shelter on the sides of the roads from the blinding sunlight.

Motorists have asked security forces to reopen the highway.

Several MPs participated in the protest with Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan signing the protesters' proposal for an alternative bridge.

The Jal al-Dib Bridge, north of Beirut, was built shortly after the start of the Civil War in 1975 and dismantled earlier this year following warnings by various officials that it was at severe risk of collapsing.

The government said it would build an alternative bridge to replace it but no plans have been implemented yet.

Local media quoted Interior Minister Marwan Charbel promising protesters to discuss an alternative bridge in the Cabinet session scheduled for Wednesday.

This is the third protest since Metn residents vowed to take to the streets if their demands for an appropriate exit and entry system to the Metn from Jal al-Dib are not met.

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Protest resumes over lack of Jal al-Dib bridge replacement