Owners of gas stations in Lebanon are seeking to raise their commission value, according to a tweet posted by their representative on Saturday.
“It is not possible to lift the subsidy on gasoline and have the price of a can reach more than 200 thousand [Lebanese pounds] while keeping the commission of the station at 6 thousand pounds,” George Brax of the Syndicate of Gas Station Owners tweeted.
A few days ago, the Lebanese Energy and Water Ministry raised the prices of fuel for the second time in a week in a move that was deemed a practical abolishment of fuel subsidies.
The new prices caused confusion at gas stations across the country because many gas pumps lacked the capacity to display 5-digit values.
Before the crisis, the price of a 20-liter can of gasoline typically ranged between LBP 25,000 – LBP 30,000.
Now, the same amount is selling for more than LBP 200,000, while the standard gas station commission remains unchanged.
“We are following up with those concerned for a solution, but we will not accept this situation anymore,” Brax wrote.
“Our understanding of the sensitivity of the general situation and our compulsion to accept losses does not mean that we cannot reject it and act on this basis in the future.”