The newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat" reported that panic has escalated in Lebanon regarding the potential shortage of fuel and flour due to the Ukrainian crisis. Long queues have reemerged at gas stations, prompting the Lebanese government to begin importing quantities of wheat that are expected to arrive by the end of this week if the payment procedures are completed with the Central Bank of Lebanon, which is still providing hard currency for importing flour.
Cars have lined up at the gas stations once again, while Lebanese citizens are rushing to purchase and stockpile flour in anticipation of a renewed crisis, fueled by the scarcity of this essential product and rising prices in global markets. The General Director of Grains and Sugar Beet at the Ministry of Economy, Jres Barbeiry, stated to "Asharq Al-Awsat" that "previous proposals regarding rationing flour distribution, limiting it to bread bakeries, were rejected to prevent the closure of establishments that provide pastries and manakish. We informed the mills to resume delivering flour to everyone in a regular manner."
Barbeiry noted that the Ministry of Economy has considered alternatives and has started implementing them, which include purchasing wheat from global markets to replenish the decreasing local stocks due to consumption. He explained, "We are working to import wheat as quickly as possible to prevent the stocks from diminishing, which currently suffice for only a month and a half." He indicated that the Ministry has completed procedures to import a shipment of wheat that is currently in Egypt and has submitted the request to the Central Bank for payment, adding that "if all payment procedures are completed, the ship will arrive in Beirut by the end of the week."
He said, "We have no interest in delay since prices are rising globally, and demand for wheat has increased. We must expedite the procedures as the situation cannot tolerate any delay to avoid a food crisis." He pointed out that Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Finance Minister يوسف خليل, Minister of Economy and Trade Amin Salam, and the government emergency committee "are doing everything necessary to expedite the procedures with the Central Bank to prevent any crisis."
Minister of Industry George Bouchikian mentioned that Lebanon has taken precautionary measures since last week to address any issues related to food security, noting in a radio interview that "credits will be opened for the wheat ships currently at sea." He indicated that "there are ships coming and we have a stock that is sufficient for a month and a half, and we are working on trying to extend this period through flour rationing." He mentioned that Lebanon is in contact with Canada and Australia to secure a large wheat shipment.
The residents' panic extends from flour to fuel, as an increase has been recorded at gas stations, with lines forming once more in anticipation of any hike in fuel prices. Concerns persist over the depletion of the existing stocks of gasoline and diesel in the country, triggered by rumors regarding the reduced quantities in the tanks of importing companies.
Minister of Energy Walid Fayyad, during a tour with the General Director of the Ministry of Economy Mohammed Abu Haidar at the oil distributing companies, assured that "the inspection of the stocks confirmed that they are sufficient for at least 15 days." Fayyad urged people not to panic, affirming that "fuel is being delivered to citizens." For his part, Abu Haidar highlighted that "we are coordinating with the Ministry of Energy in the tracking policy, as inspections are being carried out on the quantities of fuel available in the storage," noting, "In every crisis that arises in Lebanon, crisis merchants emerge."
Abu Haidar explained that fuel distribution companies "ration their distribution in anticipation of the new table to achieve greater profit," adding that Lebanese authorities have requested distribution companies "to double the quantities in the market to reduce the severity of the queues." The rise in fuel prices is linked to two main factors: the increase in the exchange rate of the dollar in Lebanon and the rising oil prices globally due to the Ukrainian crisis. Member of the Association of Service Station Owners George Al-Braik stated, "There is no ceiling on the price of a gasoline canister," adding, "We are in an exceptional situation, and no one knows where things might lead." Meanwhile, representative of fuel distributors Fadi Abu Shakra announced there are no fuel stocks in Lebanon, deeming it the state's responsibility "to ensure strategic oil reserves." He pointed out that the number of ships importing fuel by companies today is limited due to the global crisis.
