SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 29 March 2024, Friday |

Diab says will not accept lift of subsidies before implementation of rationing card

Caretaker Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, in the afternoon chaired, at the Grand Serail, an economic meeting attended by Ministers Zeina Akar, Ramzi Musharrafieh, Raoul Nehme and Raymond Ghajar, in addition to the Head of the Parliamentary Economic Committee, MP Farid Al-Boustany, MP Ali Bazzi, Chairman of the Economic and Social Council, Charles Arbid, Director General  of the Council, Mohammad Saif al-Din, Saad al-Din Hmaidi Sakr, and PM Advisor, Khodor Taleb.

Premier Diab stressed that he would not accept lifting subsidies before starting the implementation of the rationing card, highlighting the fact that any measure aiming at lifting subsidies would have serious repercussions on most segments of the Lebanese society.

PM Diab revealed a practical plan for the rationing card, including the number of targeted families, and the relevant cost, adding that preparations were underway to complete the nominal lists for the families that will benefit from this card.

Premier Diab added, « We are still deliberating on how to cover the cost of the card, and we are working to secure the funds. In this framework, I visited the sisterly State of Qatar, where we briefed His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Tamim, the Prime Minister and the concerned ministers, about the social and living situation in Lebanon, as well as the government’s plan for the ration card and the rationalization of subsidies.

This file is currently under examination by Qatari officials, under the clear and explicit guidance of the Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim. I will personally be communicating and coordinating with the Qatari Prime Minister, with the hope of yielding outcomes shortly ». For their part, economic entities briefed PM Diab and relevant ministers about the paper they prepared, which includes proposals and ideas related to the rationalization of subsidies, in the framework of coordination that is taking place between the government and economic entities.

    Source:
  • NNA