'Fuel and medicines available for at least two months,' Salam assures Lebanese

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday urged Lebanese citizens “not to panic,” assuring them that fuel and medications are available for at least two months, just hours after the outbreak of hostilities between Iran, the United States and Israel. His remarks came after motorists rushed to gas stations across Lebanon in a wave of panic following the strikes, amid fears of shortages or price hikes.

“We are making all necessary diplomatic contacts to spare Lebanon the consequences of what is happening. Tension in the region is not new. We have long taken all preventive measures related to war through the Higher Relief Committee and the relevant ministries,” Salam said. Addressing the public, he added: “I assure all Lebanese: there is absolutely no reason to panic, and you should not believe rumors. Foodstuffs, medications and fuel are available for at least two months. There is no cause for alarm.”

'The wisdom of the Lebanese'

The prime minister made these comments at the end of an expanded meeting at the Grand Serail to assess the readiness of state institutions following the military escalation between the United States, Israel and Iran. The meeting also focused on ensuring the continuity of public services and critical infrastructure.

According to information obtained by L’Orient-Le Jour from a minister, the meeting dealt primarily with “logistical matters.” The possibility of Hezbollah intervening in the conflict was not discussed. “It was mainly to establish measures to be taken if the situation were to deteriorate,” the official said. The meeting was attended by Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine, who is close to Hezbollah.

Salam said that “land, sea and air supply routes are open” and that he had “given the necessary instructions to all concerned officials to accelerate the unloading of goods and their distribution to markets.” He added that Middle East Airlines continues to operate flights and that Beirut’s airport, the country’s only international airport, remains open.

The prime minister expressed confidence that “the Lebanese will act with wisdom,” warning against “any hoarding of goods, rationing or price increases,” and vowed to take action against abuses or attempts at monopolization.

Addressing fears of a possible Hezbollah intervention alongside Iran, Salam reiterated his call for prudence. “I call on the Lebanese to demonstrate wisdom, patriotism and rationality in order to prevent Lebanon from being dragged into a regional war,” he said. He also confirmed that he and President Joseph Aoun had engaged in diplomatic contacts to shield Lebanon from the fallout of the conflict. “I contacted several Arab brothers who were targeted today. I cannot rule out the possibility that embassies could be targeted, but we have taken all necessary security measures to prevent this,” he added, referring to Iranian retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases in several Gulf countries.

Earlier in the morning, shortly after the first Israeli strikes on Iran, Salam had reiterated on X his “categorical refusal to allow anyone to drag the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity,” in an apparent reference to Hezbollah’s actions in October 2023.

Hezbollah has been significantly weakened by the Israeli army after opening a support front in Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023. However, it has so far resisted calls from Beirut and the international community to hand over its arsenal to the Lebanese state. Some observers do not rule out the possibility that it could enter the conflict if Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, or the regime itself were directly threatened.