The strike is going on in Lebanon amid anticipation of Aoun's speech this evening

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon went on a general strike on Tuesday to protest the government's maneuvering and stalling as employees of the two cellular operators Alpha and Touch began their open-ended strike and stopped working in the company's headquarters and in the regions. The staff came to their workplaces, but held out, holding up slogans in defense of their rights.

To the north, demonstrators blocked a number of roads in the city of Tripoli, including leading to Nur Square. Schools, universities, institutes and professionals announced that they would close their doors to students.

A number of protesters also staged a sit-in in front of the Saraya city of Halba, the center of Akkar, and chanted to the staff at the Libanpost Center to stop their work and the center was closed. They went to the Ogero Communications Authority building and were closed.

In the south, the demonstrators closed the EDL in the city of Sidon, then moved to the Ogero building, where they laid the ground for the closure.

For his part, President of the Union of Employees Syndicates of the Banks of Lebanon, George Haj, told Reuters that banks in Beirut and other areas are closed because of the strike, explaining that the ATMs will be provided with cash.

The union, which represents 11,000 employees, called for a strike on Monday over safety concerns, citing protests against banks and customer demands to withdraw deposits. Banks impose restrictions on dollar withdrawals and transfers abroad.

In the meantime, the Lebanese street is awaiting the positions of President Michel Aoun on the ongoing consultations to form a government in a dialogue with media professionals in the evening.

As the popular movement continued in Lebanon for the 27th consecutive day, a number of protesters gathered in front of the Palace of Justice in Beirut on Tuesday, closing its entrances "in support of the independence of the judiciary and pressure on the political authority to start parliamentary consultations."

A number of students also gathered in front of the UNESCO Ministry of Education in Beirut amid the spread of security forces.