Energy Minister Raymond Ghajjar estimated that gasoline smuggling to Syria is the cause of gasoline shortages in Lebanon, due to the price differential between the two countries.
Despite an increase in the price of gasoline of more than 50% in Lebanon, a can of gasoline costs around three dollars while in Syria, the same can cost between 7 and 13 dollars.
This difference leads smugglers to work along the borders, despite the attempts of the authorities, the Lebanese army and the Internal Security Forces to control them. For now, the minister specifies that the quantities of gasoline thus illegally exported are unknown.
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Raymond Ghajjar said the current solution is to control the price of gasoline, indicating that the subsidy program will not be lifted until the authorities approve a rationalization plan. He thus calls on the population to avoid building up stocks at home, dangerous stocks, the government not wishing to end this program in the near future. Finally, he calls on the security forces and the Lebanese army to control the borders with Syria more frequently and more effectively.
This information comes as the fuel subsidy program should end at the end of the month due to the decrease in the Bank of Lebanon’s available monetary reserves, announced its governor Riad Salamé.
In addition, the latter had also indicated in a letter addressed to the outgoing Minister of Finance Ghazi Wazni that the Bank of Lebanon would face difficulties from the correspondent banks in obtaining the lines of credit necessary for the purchase of fuel. , medicines or even flour coming under the program of subsidies for the purchase of basic necessities.
He also called for the program to be streamlined, with the establishment of cards for the benefit of the most vulnerable people.
