Lebanon: anger explodes at the inability of the authorities to manage the crisis
Bakeries have shut down their production units causing a shortage of bread.
Those open were stormed, as here in Beirut, this Friday, August 13, 2021. AFP - ANWAR AMRO
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The announcement by the Banque du Liban to lift fuel subsidies has plunged the country into total chaos.
Angry protesters blocked roads this Friday, August 13.
Entire sectors of the economy have suspended their activities.
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With our correspondent in Beirut,
Paul Khalifeh
Almost all sectors of the life of a country were disrupted this Friday in Lebanon because of the consequences of the announcement by the Bank of Lebanon of the lifting
of fuel subsidies
.
Across the country, the few gas stations still open were stormed by motorists, giving rise to disputes and sometimes violent scuffles.
The entrances to Beirut, the main axes between the different regions, but also secondary roads connecting villages have been cut by angry residents.
In some areas, groups of protesters intercepted tankers and seized their cargoes of fuel oil, which they emptied into private generators.
The latter have taken over from the state in towns and villages, which only provides a few short hours of current.
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See also: Lebanon: anger and roadblocks after a lifting of fuel subsidies
No solution on the horizon
The fuel oil shortage has caused entire sectors to slow down or suspend their activities.
Bakeries have shut down their production units causing a shortage of bread.
Restaurants have gone out of business, shopping centers have rolled back their curtains, and its hospitals have closed entire departments.
The political authorities seem incapable of managing this new stage of the crisis.
The executive and the Central Bank are blaming each other for the worsening situation, with no solution on the horizon.
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Also listen: Lebanon: "Resignation is turning into determination to do battle" [International guest]
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Lebanon
Economic crisis
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