Small bombs detonated outside three American fast-food restaurants this morning in the Lebanese town of Jounieh, 20 kilometers outside of Beirut. The explosions caused damages but no casualties.
An explosion blew out windows at a Pizza Hut at 4:30 am with the second explosion occurring 30 minutes later at Winners, approximately one kilometer away on the main north-south coastal highway. The restaurants were closed at the time. Witnesses said the Pizza Hut blast destroyed the building's facade, shattered glass and left tables scattered in the car park.
In light of American support for Israel, popular committees in the Middle East have been calling to widen the boycott against US-made products and services. In Lebanon, bombs have exploded outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Jouineh and a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in the Northern city of Tripoli in the past seven months.
American coffee house chain Starbucks is also facing hardship in the state. Activists have been seen leafleting outside Beirut’s four Starbucks locations, handing out information detailing the pro-Israel sentiments of the company’s Chief Executive, Howard Shultz.
Today’s incidents followed an announcement made by McDonald’s yesterday to cease operations or close down its restaurants in a number of Middle Eastern countries. Without specifying which markets will be affected, the Corporation said the pullout is a result of lagging returns on investment. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
