A gas station in Hazmieh, Lebanon. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'OLJ)
The General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL) and the land transport union have threatened to lead "large-scale" demonstrations on Thursday to protest against the recent increase in fuel taxes in Lebanon if ongoing contacts with authorities do not lead to concrete results.
President of the CGTL Beshara al-Asmar told L'Orient-Le Jour that if "no positive result is obtained today," during his discussions with the Lebanese government, the union "will determine on Wednesday the gathering points for Thursday’s strike and will announce upcoming actions."
On May 29, Nawaf Salam's government decided to increase taxes on fuels: LL 100,000 on each 20 liters of gasoline sold (or $1.1 at the market rate) and LL 174,000 on each 20 liters of diesel (or $1.94). A tax that affects all drivers indiscriminately, to fund monthly aid to the army: LL 14 million for active military personnel and LL 12 million for retired military, effective from July 1, 2025.
Asmar specified to L'OLJ that contacts are ongoing with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and concerned ministers, expected to be finalized during the day, and based on which "we will determine our actions."
"We are open to dialogue and not to the paralysis of the country," said Asmar.
"The increase in fuel prices affects all sectors of the country, and must be reconsidered and annulled. Efforts must be deployed to establish justice among the different actors of the country," he affirmed. "We call on all sectors of the country to join us on Thursday if there is no progress on this issue."
According to several local media outlets, the president of the public transport union, Bassam Tleiss, indicated that "Thursday's strike will paralyze the country due to the government's lax approach to taxation."