Lebanon President Michel Aoun Calls on Parliament to Take Action

By Al Mayadeen
15 Aug 2021 00:16

Amid a stifling economic crisis that was recently exacerbated by BDL Governor Riad Salameh's decision to lift subsidies on vital goods, Lebanese President Michel Aoun calls on Parliament to hold a session to discuss the situation and take measures.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun (AFP)

Michel Aoun, the President of Lebanon, called on Parliament to hold a session to discuss the economic situation and take appropriate measures, following BDL Governor Riad Salameh's decision to lift subsidies on vital materials and goods.

On August 11, Banque du Liban, Lebanon's central bank, announced that it would begin securing the necessary credit for fuel based on the USD/LBP market rate.

BDL Governor Riad Salameh said the decision to fund fuel exports at certain prices is linked to BDL's capabilities. "We cannot go back to the decision to lift fuel subsidies," he added.

Salameh asserted that in case the Central Bank's mandatory reserves run low, the body must stop funding the credits and provide a substitute.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun called on Friday for a special government session to discuss the fuel crisis in the country.

On Friday, Aoun accused governor Riad Salameh of insisting on lifting fuel subsidies, despite legislation and laws allowing him to reverse this decision.

Despite saying that care-taking does not prevent the government from holding special sessions in the case of maximum emergency, caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab rejected President Aoun's call for a government meaning.

Today, the Lebanese army announced that it will confiscate all seized gasoline found in closed gas stations and will directly distribute it to the people.

Lebanon is undergoing a crisis in which the majority of gas stations are closed, the rest of which are overwhelmed by long car queues.

At the same time, the overwhelming majority of power generators are out of service due to the diesel shortage in the country. The government struggles to secure fuel to provide its people with electricity, submerging the "Switzerland of the East" in total darkness.

#Lebanon plunges in total darkness as crisis worsens in the face of the Lebanese people. pic.twitter.com/cmRe6ADAl2
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 14, 2021

Due to the accumulated crises, the Lebanese people have been taking to the streets, while some others are blocking roads. Videos and photos from the demonstrations and road-blocking have been circulating on social media, in addition to protestors seizing fuel tanks as a means of expressing their frustration at the current situation.