Photos: Strike paralyzes Lebanon amid worsening economic conditions

Fuel tankers block a road in Lebanon's capital Beirut during a general strike by public transport and workers unions over the country's economic crisis on January 13, 2022. Lebanon is in the throes of a financial meltdown dubbed by the World Bank as among the planet's worst since the 1850s. Around 80 per cent of Lebanon's population is now estimated to be living under the poverty line.

An empty road in Lebanon's capital Beirut during a general strike by public transport and workers unions. Universities and schools were closed all over Lebanon, and many people could not reach work because of road closures.

A truck driver holds a Lebanese flag as others drivers block the main highway with their vehicles during a general strike.

Lebanese army soldiers walk on a main highway that blocked by tanker trucks and buses.

Protesters block cars from advancing on the main road in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon during a general strike by public transport and workers unions over the country's economic crisis.

Protesters closed the country's major highways and roads inside cities and towns starting at 5 a.m. The nationwide protests dubbed a "day of rage'' is scheduled to last 12 hours.

A Lebanese protester holds a sign as fuel tankers block a road in Lebanon's capital Beirut during the general strike.

Bus, taxi and truck drivers used their vehicles to block roads to protest a sharp increase in fuel prices as the government lifted subsidies. They are demanding getting subsidized fuel again.

About 80% of people in Lebanon live in poverty after the Lebanese pound lost more than 90% of its value. Lebanon's economy shrank 20.3 in 2020 and about 7% last year, according to the World Bank.

The national currency has lost more than 95 percent of its value on the black market, and the minimum wage of 675,000 pounds is worth little more than $20, which barely pays for a full tank of petrol.

Power shortages and soaring petrol prices mean many Lebanese university students can neither afford to reach their classes nor study from home, a conundrum that is ravaging a generation's future.

A view shows empty highway as demonstrators block roads during a protest by Land Transport Unions against spiralling petrol prices and worsening economic conditions, in Jdeideh, Lebanon.