Official fuel prices have risen dramatically in recent weeks. (Credit: Marc Fayad)
BEIRUT — The government will take a firmer stance against price manipulation by fuel distributors, two ministers promised on Sunday.
Here’s what we know:
• Energy and Water Minister Walid Fayad and Economy and Trade Minister Amin Salam issued a joint statement Sunday in response to complaints of illegal overcharging for fuel they said they had received from a number of consumers.
• The ministers promised they are “in the process of taking urgent procedural measures” against fraudsters, starting with cutting off the delivery of fuel to distributors who violate the official rate and escalating to possible legal action.
• The Economy and Trade Ministry also reminded residents that they can report any price violations by calling the Consumer Protection Authority on the hotline number 1739.
• Official fuel prices have escalated radically in recent weeks, as the government gradually removes subsidies. Last Wednesday the official price of gasoline broke the LL200,000 mark and diesel reached LL162,700.
• Meanwhile, Lebanon continues to see a thriving black market for fuel products in which goods are sold locally above the legal rate or smuggled outside the country for resale.