A severe shortage of cooking gas awaits if stocks are not replenished within a week, the gas sector employees and distributors syndicate head warns. (Credit: Mychele Daniau/AFP)
BEIRUT — The president of the syndicate of gas sector employees and distributors Farid Zeinoun warned on Saturday that the stock of gas cylinders in the country is only enough for a week, as severe fuel shortages persist.
Here’s what we know:
• Zeinoun told the National News Agency that if the central bank does not make funds available for the import of gas this week, “we will be facing a great crisis.” Descibing gas as “a vital and essential resource which we cannot do without,” Zeinoun added, “if BDL has no more reserves in its coffers, let it lift the subsidies. Enough of humiliation.”
• Since the onset of the economic crisis in 2019, the central bank has subsidized essential food and goods, such as gasoline, gas, flour and medicines. But its foreign currency reserves have now reached a critical threshold, prompting it to reduce some subsidies and to reportedly delay the payment of others. Meanwhile, the country suffers from severe shortages, especially of diesel and other fuel products, leading to a burgeoning black market on which essentials are sold at exorbitant prices.