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GV Tripoli street scenes (2 shots)
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SV boarded up and closed shops (??? shots)
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CU & GV PAN Row of boarded up shops
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GV & SV People in street walk past closed shops (3 shots)
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SV People sell goods in streets (2 shots)
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SV Children eating by mobile stall
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GV Tripoli street scene
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Initials ESP/1417 ESP/1428



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: There were general strikes in two main Lebanon towns on Friday (26 January) in protest at the deaths of two tobacco workers - killed when troops fired on demonstrators on Wednesday (January 24).

The deaths followed clashes when 4,000 demonstrators tried to occupy the headquarters of the tobacco marketing authority as part of their campaign for higher prices for growers.

The strikes took place in Tripoli, Lebanon's second largest town, where opposition leader Rachid Karame is Member of Parliament, and Saida, the third largest town. Meanwhile, 16,000 teachers have also gone on strike.

SYNOPSIS: There has been more trouble in the Lebanon, following the killing of two tobacco workers, which has already led to riots.

On Friday a general strike wad declared in Tripoli, the second largest town, Almost everyone, including shop-keepers, took part in the strike. There was a similar strike in Saida, the third largest city in the south. They were called in protest at the deaths of two men when police opened fire on demonstrators trying to occupy the headquarters of the tobacco marketing authority. The occupation attempt was part of a campaign for more money for tobacco growers.

But not everybody went on strike - the prospect of making money seemed too much for some. And, anyway, people had to eat. The children may have been celebrating the fact that 16,000 teachers had also gone on strike.