Mourners bury victims of the Akkar explosion in the village of Daouseh on Wednesday. (Credit: Ibrahim Chalhoub/AFP)
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Four members of a single family were laid to rest in Akkar yesterday, as communities in the impoverished northern region continue to reel in the aftermath of this weekend’s deadly explosion. Till now, officials have confirmed the deaths of at least 34 people in relation to the explosion of a fuel tanker in the village of Tleil, while a handful are still missing. A Lebanese Army spokesperson told L’Orient Today that it has counted two soldiers among those who died from the explosion, while four more are still missing and presumed dead, 11 soldiers were wounded severely and seven were wounded less seriously. As overwhelmed hospitals continue to treat the victims, some of whom suffered severe burns and other injuries, a Turkish plane arrived yesterday to help provide medical treatment, and the Turkish ambassador also announced the country had provided supplies and medicines.
More than 250 protesters gathered in front of Électricité du Liban’s Saida offices to protest local power cuts. The protest, called for by the Popular Nasserite Organization and led by local MP Ousama Saad, denounced mismanagement in the sector, with generator owners telling L’Orient Today that some neighborhoods are facing 24/7 blackouts. Lebanon’s electricity woes are not likely to lessen anytime soon, and they are spilling over into the political arena. Sources close to Michel Aoun told our sister publication, L’Orient-Le Jour, that they viewed Riad Salameh’s recent announcement that Banque du Liban would end fuel subsidies as a betrayal of the president by Premier-designate Najib Mikati. Diplomatic sources are reportedly saying Aoun now wants Salameh to be sacked before he will agree on a government.
As residents await the ramifications of Riad Salameh’s decision to end fuel subsidies, Banque du Liban’s foreign currency reserves continue to drop. The central bank’s latest interim balance sheet shows a $270 million decrease in foreign assets, which mainly represent its reserves, during the first half of August. This drop means BDL has fewer dollars to finance subsidies on essential goods. With the reserves falling to a critically low threshold, Salameh has made clear that the bank would no longer continue funding the subsidy, unless directed to do so by Parliament. MPs will convene on Friday to discuss “appropriate action” to respond to the fuel crisis. Meanwhile, the lira in circulation outside BDL jumped by LL253.2 billion, bringing the total to LL40.8 million, compared with an average biweekly increase this year of LL660 billion. This reflects BDL’s latest efforts to stabilize the national currency by placing tight restrictions on the sum of cash lira that can be accessed.
The private hospitals’ syndicate has warned that a number of hospitals will shut down entirely in less than two weeks if the country’s current status quo keeps up. “Hospitals are begging for fuel every day, which shouldn’t be part of their daily routines,” the syndicate’s head, Sleiman Haorun, told L’Orient Today, adding that hospitals are demanding that the Higher Relief Committee assume responsibility for hospitals’ basic operational requirements. In a statement, the syndicate cited among the reasons that may lead to closure diesel shortages, a lack of medical equipment and drugs, devalued salaries and a lack of funding. Added to the plethora of shortages is the resurgence of COVID-19 countrywide, which is threatening to cause the country’s overburdened and underresourced health sector to buckle.
Lebanon observes the Muslim holiday of Ashoura today. Government offices and many businesses will be closed.