The Municipality Union of Hermel has placed the solution to the fuel crisis and the gas stations in the hands of the army, in collaboration with the municipalities.
The National News Agency reported today that a meeting took place at the Municipality Union of Hermel, attended by MPs Hussein al-Haj Hassan and Ehab Hamada representing the Baalbek-Hermel bloc, officers from the Lebanese army, the president of the Municipality Union of Hermel, heads of municipalities in the district, and the Union of Mukhtars of Hermel. The discussions focused on the ongoing fuel and subsidized food crisis that has persisted for six months.
The statement emphasized the need for increased coordination between the Baalbek-Hermel MPs' bloc, representing political and social forces, the army, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economy, the State Security, General Security, the Municipality Union, and the municipalities.
The statement highlighted that the Lebanese army has prepared a list of licensed and unlicensed stations in Hermel and sent it to the Minister of Energy. It called for the army to communicate with the Higher Defense Council to determine the quantity allocated to the stations, restricting this quantity to licensed ones only.
The statement noted the importance of cooperation between the army and the municipalities on this matter, especially with regard to informing the bloc and municipalities about the prepared list as it might need some adjustments. This list is to be sent to the Ministry of Energy to inform the distribution companies to adhere to it and not to deliver fuel to anyone outside this list to prevent smuggling at the source, as well as to monitor deliveries and stations.
The statement also mentioned that the municipalities will prepare a weekly report on how the stations distribute fuel, and all attendees praised the role of the army and security forces in combating smuggling operations.
