The Jezzine Saïda axis interrupted to traffic. Photo Credit: NNA
The Jezzine Saïda axis interrupted to traffic. Photo Credit: NNA

Lebanon would have only 7 days of fuel and fuel oil, after the Banque du Liban failed to grant the lines of credit necessary to allow the unloading of gasoline and fuel oil yet present on the tankers opposite. Lebanese waters.

Some sources would therefore call for the rationing of travel, which should be limited to what is strictly necessary, indicate media sources.

Indeed, for 2 days already, the Deir Amar and Zahrani power stations, both located in the North of Lebanon, have been burning their last available stocks in turn, even though it was expected that the gasoline of the tanker in face of Beirut can be unloaded in favor of motorists.

This information comes after the governor of the Banque du Liban Riad Salamé had nevertheless assumed the presidency of the republic during a meeting held last week to be able to continue to subsidize up to the exchange rate of 3,900 LL / USD instead of the official rate of 1500 LL / USD for a few months. The idea then was to reduce the fuel subsidy program from $ 250 million per month to just $ 150 million.

A controversy could re-emerge today as to the accuracy of the amounts of monetary reserves available, sources close to Riad Salamé having estimated that the fuel subsidy program could continue for another 2 months, a deadline that seems impossible today. to be held in view of the current circumstances.

The Lebanese authorities had however announced a 30% increase in fuel prices in an attempt to somewhat limit the cost of the subsidy program and limit smuggling to Syria.

With the end of the availability of fuels, whole sectors could collapse one after another

Many vital industries depend on an adequate supply of fuel. In addition to private rather than public transport in Lebanon, telephone exchanges and even mobile telephone networks could be severely disrupted, making the work of emergency services difficult.

Also, after the financial crisis and that of the coronavirus, the shortages of drugs also induced by the refusal also of the Bank of Lebanon to pay the pharmaceutical companies in order to import them into Lebanon, the hospitals fear that the electricity shortages could also affect the local health situation. Their leaders like Dr. Firas Abiad of the Rafic Hariri University Hospital or the president of the association of owners of private hospitals, Dr. Sleiman Haroun, both expressed their fears of seeing their generators stop working for lack of fuel.

The bakeries did not remain with the shutdown of their ovens, also lack of diesel. Their union is already asking for an increase in the price of bread because of the increase in fuel prices.

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