Lebanese gripped by panic, authorities seek to reassure them

Barely had news of Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iran broken than lines began forming at gas stations across Lebanon. On Saturday, faced with the risk of a regional war that could engulf the country, panic set in among the Lebanese. Authorities, however, sought to calm fears, denying any risk of shortages and insisting they were working to keep the country out of the escalation.

“I’m filling up my tank because I’m afraid a war could break out in Lebanon. We’re always scared of that in this country. I fear Hezbollah might get involved, or that Israel could strike. I’m also worried supplies could be cut off, that Iran might block the Strait of Hormuz, or that the problem could even become global,” a man in his thirties told L'Orient-Le Jour as he waited his turn at a station in Fiyadiyeh (Baabda).

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He was joined by his neighbor in line, a woman in her fifties sitting behind the wheel. “I’m afraid there won’t be any gas left, or that it’ll be monopolized like before. So our only option is to fill up and prepare.”

‘Don’t panic’

In this context, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on Lebanese citizens “not to panic.” “I reassure all Lebanese: there is absolutely no reason to panic, and don’t believe the rumors,” he said. “Food, medicine, and fuel are available for at least two months. There is no need for alarm.”

Responding to the lines at gas stations, the Ministry of Energy and Water also sought to reassure the public, stating there was “no crisis and no reason to rush to stations.” “Available quantities of gasoline and diesel are sufficient for at least 15 days,” the ministry said, noting that additional stock is on ships en route to Lebanon, as well as at stations.

Similarly, Georges Brax, president of the Lebanese Gas Station Owners Syndicate, urged citizens not to give in to panic. “We reassure everyone: gasoline is widely available in Lebanon, and there is no reason to fear a shortage or rush to gas stations,” he said in a statement. “The situation is normal, and events in the Gulf have no impact on fuel supplies in our country,” he added.

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‘No bread crisis’

Economy Minister Amer Bsat, along with the syndicate of bakers and bakery owners, also tried to calm fears, asserting that there would be “no bread crisis.” “Lebanon has 46,000 tons of wheat, enough for more than two months of consumption under normal conditions,” the minister said, adding that “two ships are expected in the coming days, and bread will remain continuously available to citizens.”

He also noted, “Supermarket owners have confirmed they have sufficient stock for three to four weeks under normal circumstances, while external stocks cover three to four months.” The minister also warned against “any exploitation of the situation or attempts to raise prices.”

The syndicate president likewise confirmed that “there is no bread crisis in Lebanon, and the situation is stable.” He urged citizens “not to rush to buy bread or flour in quantities above normal needs, as this disrupts the market unnecessarily,” emphasizing that production continues and distribution is assured throughout the country.

Port open 24/7

Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny instructed the Beirut port authority to maintain round-the-clock operations to ensure continuous supply to the markets. “In light of current developments in the region, which require the highest level of preparation and responsible monitoring, the Beirut port authority announced that, under instructions from the Council of Ministers and the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny, the port gates are open 24 hours a day to facilitate and accelerate the movement of goods,” a statement from the port authority read.

Finally, Jean Hatem, president of the Gas Distributors Syndicate, told LBCI that there is “no crisis” in his sector. “However, if people rush to buy gas cylinders, we could face a problem, as stocks currently cover only about a month,” he warned. He noted, though, that import ships continue to arrive from Greece and Algeria.