Tunis — Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) Secretary-General Hassine Abassi announced, on Wednesday, cancellation of the general strike planned for tomorrow, Thursday.

During a meeting with the press held after the meeting of UGTT's administrative commission, Mr. Abassi explained that the difficult situation the country is going through, the prevailing climate of insecurity and threats on the borders are all factors which compelled the organisation to place the people's interest above everything else.

Nonetheless, he specified, that negotiations with the Government will proceed, responsibly, to find solutions to all pending problems.

Mr. Abassi also announced that UGTT will hold, tomorrow Thursday, a meeting with the press to further elaborate on the reasons behind the decision to stage a general strike and on the circumstances of calling it off.

UGTT Secretary-General paid tribute to all components of civil society, the political parties, youths and the national figures for their solidarity with the trade union organisation.

Trade-union members gathered in front of the hotel where the UGTT administrative commission's meeting was held, voiced their "great disappointment" at the cancellation of the strike, a decision which they described as "an act of betrayal" to the labour union's activism.