BEIRUT (AP) — Severe fuel shortages and wide power cuts have paralysed tiny Lebanon, with some businesses temporarily closing down on Friday as top security officials met to discuss the situation.
Lebanon has for decades suffered electricity cuts, partly because of widespread corruption and mismanagement. The Mediterranean nation of six million, including one million Syrian refugees is near bankruptcy.
The situation deteriorated dramatically this week after the central bank decided to end subsidies for fuel products. The decision will likely lead to a hike in prices of almost all commodities in Lebanon.
The move by the central bank was rejected by both Lebanon’s president and outgoing prime minister who claimed they were not notified in advance. Major roads were jammed on Friday as thousands of cars waited in long lines at petrol stations. People rushed to bakeries to buy bread amid fears some might close down.
Fuel shortages have been blamed on smuggling, hoarding and the cash-strapped government’s inability to secure deliveries of imported fuel.
Lebanese President Michel Aoun called an “extraordinary” Cabinet meeting to discuss the nationwide crisis, but outgoing Prime Minister Hassan Diab declined to attend, saying the constitution restricts duties of his caretaker Cabinet.
