Web outages on cards as Lebanon telecom minister says talks still on to end Ogero strike

A walkout by Ogero employees has caused widespread internet shortages

Bassam Al Sheikh Hussein, an armed man who took hostages at a Federal Bank branch in Beirut, sits in a police car after his arrest. AFP

He was arrested as he left the bank. EPA

He held several customers hostage as he demanded the return of his bank deposits so that he could pay his father's medical bills. AFP

A woman who was held hostage inside the Federal bank of Lebanon enters a car after her release. Reuters

Mr Al Sheikh Hussein was reportedly armed with a rifle and is said to have doused the interior of the bank with petrol. AP

A woman held hostage in the bank cries. AP

The siege ended without violence eight hours later on Thursday when the gunman reportedly left the bank and was arrested. Reuters

Many sympathised with Mr Al Sheikh Hussein and took part in protests outside the bank as they denounced local lenders and chanted 'We are all Bassam'. AP

Lebanese bank customers stand near the bank where the armed man took customers and employees hostage. EPA

A Lebanese security official said Mr Al Sheikh Hussein was threatening to set himself ablaze unless he received his savings. AP

The demonstrations grew more heated, with protesters facing off against security forces dressed in riot gear. AP

Army soldiers, behind, and security forces, front, stand guard outside the bank in Beirut. AFP

The incident is the latest between local banks and angry depositors unable to access their savings because of informal capital controls. Jamie Prentis / The National

At least two shots were heard after the man entered the branch just before noon, according to witnesses and local media. Some customers managed to escape before he shut the branch doors. AP

The Lebanese Red Cross on standby outside the bank, which was cordoned off by security forces. Reuters

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Mr Al Sheikh Hussein was demanding to withdraw $210,000 and had threatened to set himself ablaze and kill everyone at the bank. Reuters

His father was in hospital and required $50,000 worth of treatment, according to the Association of Depositors in Lebanon. Reuters

A days-long strike by employees of Lebanon's state-owned internet provider that has led to service failures throughout the country is expected to continue.

"We agreed that it's going to take a little bit of time to get things sorted out, meaning probably not before middle of next week," caretaker Telecommunications Minister Johnny Corm told The National, after a three-and-a-half-hour meeting with the syndicate representing Ogero's employees.

The employees, who walked off their jobs on Tuesday, are demanding higher salaries amid an economic meltdown that has led the dollar value of wages to collapse.

"I don't think the internet will go out completely, Mr Corm said in a phone interview. "But there will be no contact with customers."

There are reports that the mobile phone networks operated by providers Alfa and MTC Touch have been affected.

"I think that we're safe in a sense that we're not going to be disconnected from the rest of the world," Mr Corm said. "And hopefully businesses will not suffer as a consequence during this negotiation period. But I'm very hopeful that it should all be settled."

Internet outages are expected to affect more parts of the country as Ogero's private electricity generators run out of fuel.

Ogero Chairman Imad Kreidieh told The National this week that the internet blackouts would not have been as widespread if there had been more state electricity on the grid.

State utility Electicite Du Liban provides only a couple of hours of power a day, if that.

Ogero in recent years has faced problems maintaining its infrastructure and being able to afford fuel for its generators.

Lebanon is in the middle of an economic collapse, which first became apparent in 2019, that has been described by the World Bank as one of the worst in modern history. Much of the population has been plunged into poverty, the local currency has lost more than 90 per cent of its value and there are widespread shortages of basic essentials.

Inflation is rampant and public sector employees — such as those at Ogero — have not had their salaries adjusted to reflect the new reality.

Many public sector workers have been on strike for nearly two months as they seek better employment conditions.