Queues return, crisis looms as fuel importers suspend operations
Lebanon’s gasoline, diesel and gas importing companies announced overnight that they would be suspending the delivery of fuel to distributors as of Wednesday morning as well as importation operations, in protest at parliament’s decision to impose an extraordinary tax on the companies that “imported subsidized goods in 2020 and 2021.”
Urging “solutions,” the importers said they would be willing to reopen and supply the market with fuel, even on Sundays, when the issue gets resolved.
“The fuel importing companies did not benefit from subsidization but it was rather the Lebanese consumer exclusively,” decrying that parliament’s decision was not based on “any study or justification.”
“Approving the fine or the extraordinary tax will lead to the destruction of the importation sector and imposing hefty fines will negatively reflect on the companies’ activity and their relations with banks and exporters, stripping them of the importation capability,” the companies warned.
They also cautioned that tens of thousands of employees and their families would be negatively affected should the companies go bankrupt.
The announcement has sparked concern among motorists and the infamous queues of vehicles returned to some gas stations on Wednesday.
The companies are meanwhile scheduled to hold a press conference at 3pm to talk more about their decision.
Source: Naharnet
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