Economy

The Lebanese war economy is not only measured by destroyed houses or hit roads. The bill covers more expensive imports, almost stop tourism, damaged agricultural land, displaced people, health, school and financial mistrust. Visible losses add to hidden costs, while the authorities are still seeking to assess a continuing crisis.

The government is holding back wage increases in the public sector as the bill is about $800 million per year, or $66.7 million per month. The gas tax pays about 35 million per month, or 420 million per year, far from the total cost. Between social emergency, exchange rate stability, war and reconstruction of the South, Beirut is seeking a gradual, targeted and funded solution to avoid a new and lasting monetary shock.

Fuel prices declined on Friday, 24 April, in Lebanon, according to the new scale issued in the morning. The decrease remains limited for petrol, with 4,000 pounds less for 95 octane and 5,000 pounds for 98 octane. The most significant movement is fuel oil, down 59,000 pounds. The price of the domestic gas can remains unchanged at 1,706,000 pounds.

عل Whilst المر Whilst الوروبي للنزاه Whilst الممع Whilst المملياه الملي النسي Whilst المممري الممريي الممري الرنسي Whilst الممرنسي واع体بر المر لد体 ال Whilst not in the public domain, it is not in the public domain

In Lebanon, the debate on gold reveals a deeper crisis: the state lacks revenue, but tries to tax a refuge that citizens clinged to after the bank collapse. Behind taxation is the whole question of trust, tax justice and financing of the country now.

The acquisition of the Fattal group by CMA CGM marks a new step in the transformation of Rodolphe Saadé's group into an integrated player in the supply chain. Beyond maritime transport and traditional logistics, the operation opens up access to a regional distribution platform in eight countries. It strengthens its anchoring in the MENA region, brings the final markets group together and gives Lebanon an explicit place in a long-term industrial strategy.

The new fuel grid in Lebanon draws a very uneven movement. Gasoline 95 and 98 octane increased by 10,000 pounds, while fuel oil jumped by 53,000 pounds. Gas is down 20,000 pounds. Behind this tariff update, the most important signal is diesel, a central product for generators, part of transportation and many economic activities. For households, reading becomes more complex: slight increase for mobility, limited relief on gas, increased pressure on fuel oil uses.

The passage of the US-sanctioned Rich Starry and the approach of the Washington-targeted Murlikishan put the Ormuz Strait at the centre of a new credibility test. The U.S. system officially targets ships linked to Iranian ports, without fully closing transit to non-Iranian ports. This legal and military nuance already weighs on insurers, shipowners and energy markets in a corridor where a decisive share of world oil and LNG is still passing through.

The OPEC+ announced a production increase of 206 000 barrels per day as early as May 2026, but the oil shock caused by the war around Iran and tensions in the Strait of Ormuz limited its real reach. More than a massive contribution, this decision appears to be a strategic signal to global markets.

Netanyahu wants to transport oil and gas from Arab countries through Israeli ports after the war, but the project faces serious obstacles.

Strait of Ormuz: Asian markets falling and oil above $100 after Donald Trump's threats against Iran.

The conflict in the Middle East could already cost Arab economies $186 billion, according to UNDP. Regional GDP, employment, poverty and human development are at risk. The Gulf and the Levant appear to be the most exposed to this shock, which already exceeds an entire year of growth in the region.

The current conflict in Lebanon is causing another major economic shock. The available projections suggest a contraction of real GDP from 12% to 16% in 2026, combined with the collapse of tourism, damage to infrastructure, pressure on agriculture, rising energy bills and declining demand. Behind this recession, it is the entire economy of services, trade and production that is being weakened, in a country already experiencing six years of crisis.

Fuel increases in Lebanon: petrol, fuel oil and gas are rising, on a world-wide oil base in yoyo after Trump said.