“A number of social media platforms are circulating news about the intention of some fuel traders to take advantage of the harsh winter conditions and citizens’ need for heating by adopting a price that is different from the official price,” Lebanon’s General Directorate of Oil said in a statement on Saturday.

“It is important for the General Directorate of Oil to remind fuel traders that it will take maximum measures against violators, up to completely depriving them of obtaining fuel from any of the importing and distributing companies in the event of any news from the Ministry of Economy or any security authority empowered to protect citizens,” it warned.