Fuel prices increasing in Lebanon, gas union syndicate reports armed robberies targeting stations

Fuel prices in Lebanon continued to soar as the regional war push global oil rates higher. On Tuesday, Lebanon's Energy Ministry published new tariffs showing a sharp increase in fuel costs, with gasoline prices rising by 85,000 Lebanese lira, which amounts to almost $1.

Here are the new rates and a comparison with last Friday

– 20 liters of 95-octane gasoline: 2,216,000 Lebanese liras, an increase of LL85,000 since the last rate published last Friday.

– 20 liters of 98-octane gasoline: LL2,257,000 (LL+85,000).

– 20 liters of diesel (for vehicles): LL2,051,000 (LL+49,000).

– Kiloliter of diesel (used to supply private power generators): $1,059.79 (+$27.26 compared to Tuesday’s rate).

– Domestic gas cylinder: LL1,745,000 (LL+65,000 compared to Tuesday’s rate, as gas prices are updated weekly).

The increase in fuel prices comes as fears of renewed inflationary pressures mount, driven by volatile oil prices linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.

Armed robberies targeting gas stations

Separately, Georges Brax, the head of the union of gas station owners in Lebanon, said in a statement on Tuesday that "fuel stations have been subjected to armed robberies carried out in broad daylight, during which the station’s revenues were stolen, and workers were seriously injured."

In the statement, Brax said that a "Medco station on the Airport Road in the Kokodi area was attacked in a criminal assault" that left its owner, Hassan Khalil, critically injured after being stabbed in the chest.

"Despite the fact that the crime was committed openly and is supported by witness testimonies and camera footage, the perpetrator remains at large and has not yet been arrested or brought before the competent judicial authorities," he added.

Moreover, the syndicate called on the relevant authorities to "provide protection by all means necessary, in order to prevent it from taking negative steps it is prepared to implement should these repeated attacks continue."

In a call with L'Orient Today, Brax said on Tuesday that the armed thefts targeting stations have increased recently, especially after the outbreak of the war between Hezbollah and Israel.