Economy Ministry Director General Tours Beirut Supermarkets to Inspect Prices

Director General of Economy Ministry Mohammad Abou Haidar raided Wednesday supermarkets in Beirut in order to control prices violations.

Fines were issued against violators.

Abou Haidar noted that prices of food and goods in the supermarkets were not as reduced as they should have, given the decline in the dollar’s exchange rate.

The central bank had recently allowed commercial banks to purchase U.S. dollars in return for Lebanese pounds based on the Sayrafa exchange rate, which strengthened the pound to 20,000 from a low of 34,000 last month.

"This greed is not acceptable," Abou Haidar said, adding that the Ministry and the Public Prosecution will be strict.

Economy Minister Amin Salam had warned last week that any one who takes advantage of the difficult situation will be pursued.

"I would personally knock the Judge's door, if I have to," Salam said, warning of legal proceedings against anyone who raises prices or monopolizes diesel.

Lebanon had witnessed recently a severe storm amid worsening shortages in state energy supply and residents are heavily relying on costly private generators running on diesel to heat their homes.

Salam advised generators owners who do not want to abide by the Energy Ministry prices to close.