State Security insisted Sunday that gas stations in several locations open and sell fuel. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — State Security in several areas of the country toured gas stations Sunday, insisting that closed premises open and sell fuel. Meanwhile, at open stations long lines formed for a second consecutive day.
Here’s what we know:
• The state-run National News agency reported that State Security in Koura in North Lebanon and Saida in the south intervened to open gas stations, while L'Orient Today's correspondent in the north reported similar actions being taken in Tripoli. These interventions follow growing concerns over the weekend of imminent fuel shortages as queues reminiscent of last summer’s hourslong lines again formed at petrol pumps on Saturday. According to the NNA, State Security’s actions are aimed at ensuring the availability of gasoline and preventing a monopoly.
• At open stations, queues of motorists caused traffic jams in Beirut. Similar scenes played out in Dennieh in the North Lebanon, while our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported that in Saida only four pumps out of more than 20 were open.
• Last week, gas station owners accused fuel importers of hoarding gasoline in anticipation of the announcement of significant fuel price increases in the coming days. However, in a televised interview Sunday Georges Brax, a member of the gas station owners' syndicate, assured that "gasoline is not out of stock. The quantities we receive are less than what we imported in the past, but they are sufficient for local needs." He also called on citizens to "not panic," adding, "Banque du Liban must release the necessary funds to speed up payments for shipments [of fuel], especially if the situation is likely to worsen in the future."
• Having last hiked fuel price on Thursday, Energy Minister Walid Fayad is expected to announce further increases in line with global oil price hikes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its impact on fuel supply chains. On Sunday, head of the fuel importers' syndicate Maroun Chammas estimated that "the market could experience a shortage of oil in March due to the difficulty in finding other sources."
• Chammas also told LBCI on Sunday that he expects new fuel prices to be published on Monday, predicting, "The price of a can of gasoline will not increase by more than LL25,000, and that of fuel oil by around LL30,000."
• On Saturday, Culture Minister Mohamad Mortada sought to dispel anxieties of looming fuel shortages, saying via Twitter, “For those who are asking: There is no gasoline crisis. There are attempts to create a crisis and to make people panic. There is no need to rush to the gas stations.” He added that fuel ships are expected to unload Monday or Tuesday “at the latest.”