Drivers hold sit-in in North Lebanon against crackdown on unregistered vehicles

Minibus, tuk-tuk, delivery motorcycle and other utility vehicle drivers continued their sit-ins on Monday for the second consecutive day in North Lebanon, especially in Akkar (north Lebanon), protesting a decision by Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar to impound any vehicle not registered in Lebanon, according to our correspondent.

Minister Hajjar has instructed security forces to stop and seize any unregistered vehicle starting Monday. The announcement of this decision sparked anger, particularly among Akkar drivers, who organized gatherings at the Bebnine-Abdeh roundabout (on the coast), in Halba (the district capital), and in Wadi Jamous.

According to our correspondent, the protesters say “the measure is unfair to them because thousands of families rely on income from these vehicles.” They are asking the minister “to reconsider his decision in favor of a practical solution that would grant them extra time to regularize their papers.”

North Lebanon in general, and Akkar in particular, are among the country’s poorest and most disadvantaged regions. Law enforcement and tax payment are generally lax in these remote areas, which have traditionally been neglected by development policies and are sparsely monitored.