Lebanon: Economy Minister Speaks of ‘Gangs’ in Ministries

Caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam (Reuters)
Caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam (Reuters)
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Lebanon: Economy Minister Speaks of ‘Gangs’ in Ministries

Caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam (Reuters)
Caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam (Reuters)

Lebanon’s caretaker Economy Minister Amin Salam said on Friday that 40% of Lebanon's flour stock is being smuggled into Syria, pointing to what he described as “gangs in the ministries” controlling the issue.

“We can’t confront the thieves and smugglers alone. Reports show that 40% of the flour is being smuggled into Syria. The long queues of people standing outside bakeries to get bread are mainly Syrians,” said Salam in a press conference.

The Minister stated that some important documents and evidence linked to the country’s bread and wheat crisis are in his procession.

His remarks came in light of accusations blaming the Ministry of negligence in providing flour to bakeries.

“There is a surplus of 10,000 tons of flour that has been stolen. We (our government) are here to clean up the mess done by previous administrations,” he said, adding that “some have brought in gangs to the ministries.”

“Accusations must not be fired arbitrarily,” he said, demanding the state and administrations to “work according to the rules.”

“Those selling the bread for 20 and 30 thousand a pack are nothing but thieves. A bread pack should be sold for around 14 thousand only,” he added.

In a radio interview, the representative of the Bekaa bakeries and a member of the Syndicate of Beirut and Mount Lebanon bakeries, Abbas Haidar, said: “Nothing more to say after so many constant meetings and sit-ins.

“We want to deliver bread to the people as quickly as possible, and therefore demand the Ministry of Economy to form a crisis cell to secure wheat for all mills, especially in the Bekaa region."

Lebanese flocked to bakeries early mornings desperate to find affordable bread in a country where fuel and medicine are already in critically short supply.

The country, struggling with political turmoil since 2019, has also been hit by the worst global economic crisis in 150 years, according to the World Bank.

Many bakeries have already closed down because they cannot afford the rising cost of fuel needed to power private generators as electricity cuts last for around 20 hours a day.



Hamas Releases Video Showing Israeli Hostage Marking His Birthday

File photo of Hamas members escorting a now-released hostage on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)
File photo of Hamas members escorting a now-released hostage on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)
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Hamas Releases Video Showing Israeli Hostage Marking His Birthday

File photo of Hamas members escorting a now-released hostage on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)
File photo of Hamas members escorting a now-released hostage on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025. (AFP)

Hamas's armed wing released a video showing an Israeli-Hungarian hostage walking through a tunnel in Gaza and lighting a candle to mark his birthday.

In the nearly three-minute clip published by the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the hostage -- who identifies himself as Omri Miran -- addresses the camera in Hebrew.

His family confirmed his identity in a statement issued through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, while requesting that the media refrain from publishing the footage.

AFP was unable to verify when the footage was recorded, but in it, Miran says he is marking his 48th birthday, which fell on April 11.

He is initially shown walking through a tunnel, then seated on a mattress in a confined space, acknowledging protesters in Israel who have been demonstrating against the government and demanding the hostages' release.

He states that hostages are living in constant fear of bombings and urges a deal be reached as soon as possible to secure their release, adding that he missed his wife and daughters.

"On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, when we say 'never again,' an Israeli citizen cries out for help from Hamas's tunnels," his family said in a statement.

"It is a moral failure for the state of Israel. Our Omri is strong and will not break, but our hearts are broken," the family added.

"We will continue to fight until Omri returns to us, and especially to his two daughters who are waiting with all their hearts to hold him again."

He previously appeared in an undated video released by Hamas on April 27, 2024.

In that footage he urged his family to pressure the Israeli government to strike a deal with Hamas on freeing the hostages.

During their attack on October 7, Hamas militants abducted 251 hostages and took them to Gaza. Of those, 58 are still being held there, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.