Bassil Says he Caused Gasoline Crisis to Defend People’s Rights, Lower Prices

Caretaker Energy Minister Jebran Bassil admitted on Sunday to causing the gasoline crisis that has engulfed Lebanon but said there wasn’t any other way to defend the people’s rights and lower prices.

During a press conference he held at his hometown in Batroun, Bassil said he received phone calls from state officials during his visit to Rome on Friday urging him to issue the updated price list of gasoline.

However, Bassil said he refused to do so and asked the officials to put pressure on Caretaker Finance Minister Rayya al-Hassan and the Higher Customs Council to lower taxes on gasoline first.

The dispute between Bassil and al-Hassan began earlier this month when customs authorities refused to lower gasoline tariffs in accordance with a proposed tax cut by the energy minister.

Pro-Hassan officials argue that only the finance ministry has the authority to pass tax cuts.

The crisis eased over the weekend when the finance ministry received the green light to lower gasoline prices by LL5,000 temporarily.

Snapping back at accusations that he took advantage of the crisis to make political gains, Bassil said: “If people think that way, then let it be.”