Lebanon to Allow Industries to Directly Import Diesel amidst Shortages

A blackout in Beirut on Monday, March 29. (AP)
A blackout in Beirut on Monday, March 29. (AP)
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Lebanon to Allow Industries to Directly Import Diesel amidst Shortages

A blackout in Beirut on Monday, March 29. (AP)
A blackout in Beirut on Monday, March 29. (AP)

Lebanon will allow industries to import diesel directly amidst worsening fuel shortages, the caretaker industry minister said on Monday, effectively removing the subsidy for the fuel product.

“Subsidies for diesel will stop and we consider it stopped,” Imad Hoballah said after the meeting.

Lebanon is battling an economic meltdown, described by the World Bank as one of the deepest depressions of modern history, that is threatening its stability.

Shortages of fuel and other basic goods have worsened in the past month.

Monday’s decision came after a meeting with President Michel Aoun to try and solve the issue of diesel shortages for factories.

Hoballah said it was decided to allow industrialists to directly import diesel and some other petroleum derivatives without prior permission from the government, a requirement when the fuel was subsidized.

Fuel shortages have caused long power cuts and an increased reliance on private generators that use diesel.



Israel Says Not Committed to Hamas Ceasefire, Only to Safe Corridor for US Hostage Release

Houthi supporters gather around a large Palestinian flag during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sana'a, Yemen, 09 May 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthi supporters gather around a large Palestinian flag during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sana'a, Yemen, 09 May 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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Israel Says Not Committed to Hamas Ceasefire, Only to Safe Corridor for US Hostage Release

Houthi supporters gather around a large Palestinian flag during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sana'a, Yemen, 09 May 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthi supporters gather around a large Palestinian flag during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sana'a, Yemen, 09 May 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Israel has not agreed to any ceasefire or release of prisoners with Hamas, but only to a safe corridor to allow the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday.

Israel was informed a day earlier of Hamas' decision to release Alexander, the last surviving US hostage, as a goodwill gesture towards President Donald Trump after four-way talks between Hamas, the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

The release, which could come as early as Monday, could open the way to freeing the rest of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza, but Netanyahu said Israeli forces would continue recently announced preparations to step up operations there, reported AFP.

"The negotiations will continue under fire, during preparations for an intensification of the fighting," his office said in a statement.

On Sunday, Hamas said it had been talking with the United States and had agreed to release Alexander, a move key Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt called an encouraging step towards a return to ceasefire talks in the war-torn enclave.

The talks came shortly before Trump is set to leave for a visit to the Gulf that will not include a stop in Israel.

US officials have tried to calm fears in Israel of a growing distance between Israel and Trump, who last week announced an end to a US campaign against the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, who have continued to fire missiles at Israel.

Families of the hostages and their supporters in Israel have pressed the government to reach a deal to secure the release of those still held in Gaza but Netanyahu has faced heavy pressure from hardliners in his cabinet not to end the war.

Last week, he announced plans to step up the operation in Gaza, which officials said could be seized entirely by Israeli forces.