Protesters, EDL Contract Workers Hurl Stones at Each Other

A clash erupted on Monday outside EDL's building in Mar Mikhail between EDL contract workers and protesters condemning what they called “the occupation of public facilities.”

The Internal Security Forces formed a human wall to separate between the two sides who hurled stones at each other.

The protest was organized by a number of young men and supporters of the Free Patriotic Movement, state-run National News Agency reported.

“Our project is the building of the state” and “The occupation of institutions is rejected,” read some of the banners carried by the protesters.

Security forces reinforced their presence in the area and erected metal barriers outside EDL’s building after clashing with protesters who tried to storm the facility.

Meanwhile, contract workers carried banners that read “We will defend our families’ income with our blood and souls.”

Earlier on Monday, Electricte du Liban director-general Kamal al-Hayek warned of the company’s collapse due to the ongoing protests by the contract workers as the employees began a hunger strike.

LBC television reported that contract workers moved their strike tent inside the company’s premises, announcing a hunger strike until the cabinet achieves their demands.

The contract workers are demanding the company pay their June and July salaries and for the cabinet to publish their permanent employment decree in the official gazette.

The contract workers at Mar Mikhael also closed the cash registers.

Speaking at the anti-contract workers protest, FPM’s university students official Antoine Soaid said: “This method is not civilized and we will not tolerate the occupations of institutions and we are expressing solidarity with EDL.”

On Saturday, EDL approved paying the contract workers their salaries on the condition of handing over the bills and funds they refrained to give to the company since they began their protests three months ago.

The contract workers warned on Friday that they would take “unprecedented” escalatory measures if their salaries were not paid before Monday.