Phasing out fuel subsidies, Ogero strike, FIBA World Cup qualification: Everything you need to know to start your Tuesday

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“It is clear that Banque du Liban is moving towards a definitive cessation of the subsidies via the Sayrafa platform,” spokesperson for the Gas Station Owners’ Syndicate George Brax said in a statement yesterday, as fuel subsidies fell further and prices rose. That same day, BDL imposed that importers make the majority of fuel payments in US dollars, dropping subsidies an additional 15 percentage points to 40 percent at the government exchange platform Sayrafa rate — which was around LL5,000 lower than the parallel market rate yesterday. Fuel prices, which in July had increased by 1,489 percent since 2021, meanwhile continued on an upward trend as 20 liters of 95- and 98-octane gasoline increased by LL5,000 on Monday, reaching LL589,000 and LL602,000, respectively. Separately, BDL yesterday prolonged its apparent, but thus far unsuccessful, effort to unify the Sayrafa and parallel market exchange rates by extending until the end of September Circular 161, which allows depositors to withdraw dollars from commercial banks at the former rate.

Amid increases in the cost of living, employees of state telecommunications provider Ogero announced the start of a strike suspending all “operation and maintenance work” until the “wages for all sector workers are commensurate with the existing living situation.” As the Ogero workers begin their strike Tuesday, employees of state mobile telecommunications providers Alfa and Touch have suspended their strike, which began last Thursday, pending the caretaker telecommunications minister’s approval of a “deal” made between the protesters and the companies’ management. Telecommunications prices sharply increased on July 1, sparking discontent. Telecom sector leaders at the time said the increase was inevitable in the face of the lira’s depreciation and the resulting rise in fuel prices. Despite state institutions’ attempts to increase revenues, notable public service deficiencies remain, particularly in the provision of electricity and water. Notably, many roads remain unlit in Lebanon as the crisis curbs the state’s ability to power street lights and maintain road safety. “Is it conceivable that there is a concrete block in the middle of the highway, and there is no light or any evidence of its existence?” Nadine Al Rassi, sister to singer George Al Rassi, said Monday after her brother and his colleague Zina al-Murabi died when their car collided with an un-signposted barrier on the Damascus-Beirut highway.

A lawyer representing the families of passengers who were aboard a migrant boat that sank in April after being intercepted by the Lebanese Army relayed to L’Orient Today his clients’ call for a “transparent international investigation.” A group of lawyers had filed a complaint accusing the soldiers involved in the incident of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter while the Army claimed that the smuggler boat, which was carrying 85 people, sank because it was overloaded. The families’ call follows the discovery of 11 bodies off the coast of Tripoli by a joint submarine search operation of the Australian charity AusRelief and the Lebanese Navy. The irregular migrant boat intending to transport passengers covertly to Europe sank in April, 5.5 km off the coast of Tripoli, killing at least 40 people. The Interior Ministry was also subject to litigation yesterday as advocacy organization Legal Agenda requested an appeal at the State Shura council of caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi’s decision to prevent gatherings that "promote homosexuality."

“While I seek to form a government before the end of my mandate, some maintain their accusations that I do not,” President Michel Aoun said two days before the constitutionally slated start of the two-month-long presidential election period. “There are undoubtedly obstacles that persist, but the efforts have not stopped,” Aoun added as fears of a cabinet and presidential vacuum persist amid increased tensions between the president and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Earlier the same day, Mikati met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, reportedly to discuss government formation; however, no statement was issued at the end of the meeting. Meanwhile, as traditional party representatives have exchanged accusations over delays in government formation, Forces of Change MPs hinted at announcing their candidates for the presidency. And on Monday, Tracy Chamoun, Lebanon’s former ambassador to Jordan and granddaughter of former President Camille Chamoun, declared her own candidacy. Chamoun joins former Secretary-General of the High Council for Privatization and Partnerships Ziad Hayek, who on Saturday announced his presidential candidacy.

“Welcome back to the big stage, Lebanon,” FIBA Basketball World Cup’s Facebook account posted on Monday after Lebanon qualified for the championship after beating India 95-63. This is Lebanon’s fourth time qualifying for the Basketball World Cup. Last month, Lebanon came second in the Asia Cup, losing to Australia by one point.

In case you missed it, here’s our must-read story from yesterday: “Death threats against Saudi embassy: Isolated act or message to Riyadh?”