Lebanese bank staff will decide on Monday whether to continue or end a strike, a union leader said, 

adding that in his view the industrial action should stop now that a security plan had been drawn up and 

banks had set out new operating procedures.

Lebanese banks have been closed since last Tuesday because of the strike which the bank employees’ 

federation said was over security concerns by staff facing intimidation from clients demanding their money.

The banks, which were also shut for half of October, have been seeking to prevent capital flight during a crisis 

that has swept Lebanon since protests erupted against its ruling elite a month ago.

Late on Sunday, the banking association declared temporary measures including a $1,000 weekly cap on 

dollar withdrawals and that transfers abroad would be restricted only to urgent personal expenses.

George al-Hajj, president of the federation of syndicates of bank employees, said union representatives 

would 

meet with the Association of Banks in Lebanon on Monday afternoon after which a decision should be taken.

He said two concerns of bank staff had been addressed after the interior ministry submitted a security plan to

 the Association of Banks in Lebanon and the banks had declared new temporary procedures on Sunday 

evening.

"There is no longer a justification for continuing the strike,” Hajj told Reuters, adding that this was, however, 

his personal view and the final decision would be taken by the executive committee of the bank staff union.