The head of the Syndicate of Gas Station Owners in Lebanon, George Al-Barakas, denounced in the strongest terms the criminal incident that took place in the town of Hanin, represented by the armed assault and robbery that occurred at one of the gas stations there, which resulted in the intimidation of workers and patrons, the threat to their lives, and the theft of the owners’ money. He said in a statement: “The recurrence of these attacks on the station sector now constitutes a real and direct threat to the security of workers and employers, and threatens public safety in vital areas that depend primarily on the continuation of these daily services for citizens.” He added: “In the face of this dangerous reality, we call on all judicial, security and military agencies to: - Rapid and direct action to pursue the perpetrators, arrest them, and bring them to justice, to serve as an example to everyone who tempts himself to tamper with security. - Intensifying security patrols in various Lebanese regions, especially around vital stations and institutions to ensure protection and safety for residents and workers. - Providing serious security cover to protect this sector, which is never late in performing its duty and standing by citizens in the most difficult circumstances to ensure social security. Al-Bareks stressed that “station owners and workers are not vulnerable, and continuing to target them will force the union to take cautionary steps to protect their lives and property.”