Saad Accuses Mustaqbal of Calling Off Sidon’s General Strike

Popular Nasserite Movement head Osama Saad expressed surprise on Monday regarding al-Mustaqbal movement’s decision to call off a general strike that was set to be held in the southern coastal city of Sidon.

He slammed during a press conference attempts to bring down the “united stances” of the residents of Sidon.

Saad’s remarks came a day after a meeting was scheduled to be held in Sidon among the cities’ personalities to call for a general strike against a sit-in launched by Salafist cleric Ahmed al-Asir.

But Saad, MP Bahia Hariri and al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Fouad Saniora did not attend following a last minute disagreement, forcing the personalities to call off the strike.

According to An Nahar newspaper, al-Jamaa al-Islamiya insisted to condemn in the final statement of Sunday’s meeting the violations in Sidon including those caused by the supporters of the Popular Nasserite Movement, which was rejected by Saad.

On Friday, the supporters of Saad blocked the city’s al-Murjan roundabout with burning tires to protest the suffocation of Sidon.

“As we are keen to halt any sedition (in the city), we voiced our support to the endeavors adopted by the residents and businessmen in Sidon to end the abnormal case,” Saad said.

He noted that the repercussions of the sit-in held by al-Asir harm Sidon’s role.

“There are attempts to ignite sedition,” Saad said.

Saad accused on Sunday al-Mustaqbal Movement Secretary-General Ahmed Hariri of negotiating with al-Asir and striking “deals” with him.