The Minister of Telecommunications, Johnny Al-Qarm, issued a statement, confirming the following:

“Eng. Johnny Al Qarm, Minister of Telecommunications, made every effort to resolve the diesel issue, and as a result, the minister was able to persuade the Banque du Liban to transfer the funds granted by the ministry to facilities on a regular basis. With regard to diesel purchases by the Ministry of Telecommunications, the exchange rate of the Lebanese pound to the dollar is determined by market rates, ensuring that the Internet and communication services are not disrupted.”

Minister Al Qarm assures that the telecommunications and Internet sector’s fuel oil has been secured, and that the ministry is continuing to ensure the sector’s continuity and will continue to do so within the plans it has established to run the sector’s affairs without interruption, especially since it is a basic and vital sector that is vulnerable to any problem that would have negative consequences for all sectors in the country.

Minister Al Qarm also confirms that our rate in Lebanese pounds is unchanged, with no plans to change it at this time: “We’re looking for various ways to compensate for the loss without imposing additional costs on citizens.”