Bakeries are experiencing continuous difficulties and obstacles. While they were striving to secure subsidized flour, a new hurdle has arisen recently which is securing diesel fuel to keep their production lines operating. But the fuel outages have obliged flour mills to stop.

Main flour mills that produce more than 90 percent of the bakeries’ needs have completely stopped operating. The head of the Bakery Owners Syndicate in North Lebanon, Tarek El-Mir, confirmed to Sawt Beirut International (SBI) reporter Ghassan Farran that shortages of bread has been witnessed, as the quantities of flour available are only enough for three days.”

El Mir added: “The situation is getting worse, due to diesel outages. Almost 17 bakeries out of 95 bakeries have closed in the North Governorate, as well as three flour mills.”

He said: “We call on the Minister of Economy who is responsible for this sector, to look on what is happening and resolve the problem.” El Mir said that he contacted Minister Raoul Nehme via whatsapp and informed him about the diesel outages, and his answer was that this issue is the specialty of Minister of Energy and Water Raymond Ghajar. We tried to reach the latter, but unfortunately, he is not answering our phone calls.

The government has delivered diesel fuel only on papers, but actually deliveries remained “ink on paper”.

Talking about disasters in a country like Lebanon has become a new normal. The phrase “No need to panic” has become in the lives of every citizen. So, what is the matter or the problem that will make the Lebanese panic? We may be facing more catastrophes in the coming future, so let’s wait and see.