Fuel prices slip, cooking gas rises… deposits and electricity files move cautiously
The day opened with a slight drop in gasoline and diesel prices, offset by a higher cooking-gas cylinder price, meaning transport costs eased a little while cooking and heating bills stayed high or rose. Meanwhile, central bank governor Karim Said said the bank's obligations toward the banking sector stand at about $79 billion, with the likely net amount payable to depositors at around $50 billion, amid progress in talks with the IMF. Electricity returned to the forefront with a Qatari initiative involving up to 3,000 megawatts, while state power supply remains at about 4 hours a day. Social files stayed tense, from strikes in public education and the Lebanese University to the Audit Bureau report on losses from illegal internet networks.
Fuel falls… cooking gas rises
The price of a 95-octane gasoline can dropped to 2,773,000 lira from 2,795,000 lira, 98-octane to 2,791,000 lira from 2,813,000 lira, and diesel to 2,578,000 lira from 2,589,000 lira. By contrast, the 10 kg cooking-gas cylinder rose to 1,418,000 lira from 1,383,000 lira. According to an Al Jazeera Net report, the September guidance price for private generators was 52,840 lira per kilowatt-hour, and one citizen pays $140 a month for state electricity and the generator, about 31% of his $447 income.
Deposits: central bank figures and depositor anxiety
Central bank governor Karim Said said the bank's obligations toward the banking sector stand at about $79 billion, roughly a third of which may be contested, which could put the likely net amount payable to depositors at around $50 billion. He voiced confidence that agreement on the principles needing clarification in the financial gap law would be reached before the end of the year, hoping parliament approves it by mid-2027. According to Bank Audi's weekly report, Eurobond prices jumped to 26.25–29.25 cents per dollar, while the Beirut Stock Exchange index fell 1.3%.
Electricity, internet, airport: services under pressure
The Qatari initiative announced during Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani's visit to Beirut brought the electricity file back to the fore, based on investment in generation and infrastructure through a partnership including QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies, with 300 megawatts supplied via Syria in the first six months under the circulated outline. With state supply still at about 4 hours a day, Audit Bureau report 2026/5 found that illegal internet networks with more than one million subscribers drain about $128 million a year, with the state's market share falling from about 50% to under 25%. On transport, an ICAO report said Beirut airport lacks a valid certification, which could delay the resumption of direct flights with Washington.
Education: strikes and pending pay files
Public education saw a surprise strike called by the teachers' association after the Education Ministry suspended about 400 teachers and educational counsellors from the afternoon shift dedicated to Syrian refugee pupils. The educational guidance committee in the evening shift also asked Minister Rima Karami to reverse memorandum 198/M/2026, which removed more than 400 counsellors from their work. At the Lebanese University, contract professors announced the strike continues until the tenure (tafarrgh) file is approved, with professors in the second branch moving to end the strike, while the academic year was suspended at the Faculty of Letters.
State and reform: an opportunity raised, exits blocked
A Lebanese delegation led by Finance Minister Yassin Jaber took part in the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bangkok, discussing financing for recovery projects, fiscal and tax reform, job creation and the modernisation of land crossings. World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said Lebanon, Iraq and Syria face a "historic opportunity" that may not recur, urging that political will be turned into concrete reforms. Domestically, the Lebanese Forces bloc withdrew from the cabinet session over what it called diluting the electricity crisis, while the State Shura Council rejected requests to suspend Audit Bureau fines in the millions of dollars against former telecoms ministers.
What to watch
- The outcome of IMF talks on the financial gap law before the end of the year
- The path of the Qatari electricity initiative and the cabinet's position on the energy ministry's plans
- Cooking-gas cylinder prices as the heating season begins
- Developments in public education and Lebanese University strikes and the professors' tenure file