The Association of Banks has not lifted or canceled the strike entirely; instead, it has decided to "extend the suspension of its strike until March 10th to facilitate the work of institutions and individuals and to reassess any new developments regarding its demands, with the board of directors compensating by extending the suspension period accordingly." Meanwhile, economic bodies have raised their voices in protest against the increase in the customs dollar price to 45,000 Lebanese pounds, coinciding with consumer anxiety over the start of pricing in U.S. dollars for both locally produced goods and imports. Major supermarkets have increased the "commodity dollar" price, keeping it higher than the black market rate.
Financially, on the political front, the opposition forces have intensified their rejection of any candidate from the opposing camp, meaning there will be no dialogue or electoral sessions for the presidential election due to the inability to secure a quorum for a candidate from either side, despite the ongoing efforts of U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea with political forces to rotate or define stances.
On another front, MP Jihad Samad revealed in an interview with Al-Jadeed channel that he has "information that something will happen between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon soon, and God willing, it will bear fruit, and my information is that there will be a meeting between a Lebanese political figure and Saudi officials." In response to a question about whether Geagea might change his position should Saudi Arabia alter its stance regarding the presidential elections, Samad stated, "The French proverb says: he who gives commands."
While Geagea will have a say today and Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah will speak on Monday, Hezbollah condemned the remarks of the former Minister of State for Relations with the Parliament, Richard Kioumjian, stating: "The statements of the mentioned official and the repugnant phrases contained in them are unacceptable under any circumstances and require outright rejection and denunciation from all religious authorities, in particular, and all political forces in general, along with all necessary actions and measures against the mentioned individual by the relevant authorities."
However, Kioumjian issued a statement yesterday saying: "In response to President Nabih Berri's recent remarks, which described the opposition candidate as a 'pipeline experience', I used the term 'pleasure marriage' in my political tweet to describe the relationship between the Hezbollah-Amal duo and their allies. This term is used in political discourse, just like the term 'Maronite marriage,' for example. However, if my words are interpreted as a religious offense or an attack on jurisprudence, God forbid, from some in the honorable Shiite community, I apologize as this was not the intended meaning."
On the educational front, Minister of Education in the caretaker government Abbas Halabi announced to the educational staff in public schools and secondary schools that they have managed to secure the following: a substitute value for 5 liters of gasoline daily, averaging four working days a week for permanent staff at most, and three days for contracted staff in schools and technical institutions at most, based on a mechanism issued by the Minister of Energy and Water, according to a cabinet decision at the end of its session on February 27, 2023.
$300 will be transferred for the first three months of the current school year, prior to the New Year holiday, through money transfer companies in two installments: the first installment of $100 on March 10, 2023, and the second installment of $200 on the 20th of the same month, while the first tranche of $125 will reach transfer companies at the end of March 2023, continuing monthly until the end of June 2023, benefiting from the advance approved by the cabinet, amounting to 1,050 billion Lebanese pounds.
He added: Regarding the monthly payments for contractors, the ministry's administration has prepared to ensure monthly payments for the hours worked by contractors and called on directors and mechanization workers to finalize the lists at the end of each month. As for the complete contract for contractors, our efforts continue with the Parliament hoping for its approval.
Additionally, teacher associations in pre-university education announced the resumption of teaching and return to classrooms to save the academic year after Minister Halabi issued a decision determining transportation, productivity allowances, payment mechanisms, and due dates.
While the dollar price has slightly decreased during the day before rising again in the evening to below 80,000 pounds, fuel prices in Lebanon also decreased slightly yesterday, following the unjustified increase that had occurred, after the release of a new schedule by the General Directorate of Oil at the Ministry of Energy. Prices are now as follows:
- 95 Octane Gasoline: 1,439,000 LBP, down 43,000 LBP.
- 98 Octane Gasoline: 1,473,000 LBP, down 45,000 LBP.
- Diesel: 1,369,000 LBP, down 40,000 LBP.
- Gas: 967,000 LBP, down 27,000 LBP.
In contrast, mobile communication bills have risen due to the increase in the price of the Sayrafa platform. Minister of Communications in the caretaker government Johnny Qarm confirmed that telephone prices have increased after raising Sayrafa to 70,000 LBP. Communication issues have been studied in the past, and prices were reduced. He affirmed that there are two options: either relying on Sayrafa's price for bill payments or resorting to other solutions, including rationing in the absence of state aid and support for the sector. He stated, "I am committed to the sustainability of the telecommunications sector, not its destruction."
Regarding the movements, the retired military personnel conducted a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Justice to demand their rights. Attorney Moheb Murad, representing the demonstrators, delivered a speech affirming "the legitimacy of our just demands; no right dies without a claim." He added: "Our movement today is the first to send a message to those concerned after they have turned a deaf ear to our demands and to remind them of their responsibilities and their duty to respect and apply laws and regulations. We all know that those affected by our movement will not hesitate in desperate attempts to undermine it; we must remain united, vigilant, and careful of one another, first and foremost for our rights."
