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BEIRUT, Jan. 1-- The Lebanese General Labor Union head Bechara Asmar called Tuesday for a nationwide strike on Friday to accelerate government formation, local media reported. "We call for a nationwide strike this coming Friday for the public and private sectors in a bid to push officials to form a government and save the Lebanese people," Asmar was quoted by the National News Agency as saying. Meanwhile, Lebanon's chamber of commerce industry and agriculture issued a statement Monday saying that the country will incur more losses if a nationwide protest occurs on Friday. "We call upon owners of companies to keep their businesses going in a bid to protect the national economy," the statement said. Lebanon has been struggling to form a government since Saad Hariri was designated prime minister in May, 2018. The formation of government has been facing various hurdles, the main differences among parties over the representation in the new government. Hariri announced Tuesday that efforts to form a cabinet are ongoing. "President Michel Aoun and I are determined to form a government as soon as possible," he said after meeting Aoun in the Baabda Palace. | 
