Fuel prices dip, cooking gas rises, IMF talks advance
Gasoline and diesel prices fell in the latest pricing round while the cooking gas cylinder rose, and the official dollar rate stayed at 89,500 pounds with the euro and gold nearly flat. On the financial track, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva spoke of "significant progress" in negotiations with Lebanon, while the electricity file and the Qatari offer dominate public debate. On services, state power supply remains around four hours a day, and a Court of Audit report points to annual losses of about $128 million from illegal internet networks.
Prices and living costs
The price of a 20-litre tank of 95-octane gasoline fell from 2,795,000 pounds to 2,773,000 pounds, 98-octane from 2,813,000 to 2,791,000 pounds, and diesel from 2,589,000 to 2,578,000 pounds. By contrast, the 10-kg cooking gas cylinder rose from 1,383,000 pounds to 1,418,000 pounds. According to Al Jazeera Net, one citizen pays $140 a month for state electricity and a private generator, about 31% of his $447 income, while the official generator tariff in September stood at 52,840 pounds per kilowatt-hour.
The pound, banks and deposits
The official dollar rate remained at 89,500 pounds, the euro stood at 100,605 pounds against 100,616 previously, gold per ounce reached $4,166 versus $4,168, and the 21-karat gram was about $117.20 versus $117.26. Bank Audi's weekly report said Eurobond prices jumped to a range of 26.25–29.25 cents per dollar, while the Beirut Stock Exchange index fell 1.3% and trading volume dropped to about $2.4 million. On the banking file, Southiya reported that the central bank revoked the licence of Iran Saderat Bank at a direct US request, and LBCI referred to a "new clash" between the banks and the Finance Ministry without details.
Public finances, the state and reforms
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Lebanon has made "significant progress" toward a financing programme with the institution, speaking at a press conference in Bangkok, while Bank Audi's report cited the central bank governor's confidence that agreement on the pillars of a financial gap law would be reached before year-end. World Bank Group President Ajay Banga warned that Lebanon, Iraq and Syria face a "historic opportunity" that may not recur, calling for political will to be turned into concrete reforms. On reconstruction, MTV reported that Hezbollah assigned the government responsibility for shelter, rebuilding and support for the displaced, with partial figures showing billions of dollars in damage and more than 21,000 destroyed housing units, while opposition MPs argued the file should be returned to the state.
Electricity, telecoms and the airport
State electricity supply does not exceed about four hours a day according to Al Jazeera Net, while the Qatari initiative brought the electricity file back to the fore, based on investment in generation and infrastructure through a partnership including QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies, with a circulating outline of 300 megawatts via Syria in the first six months, then 2,000 megawatts, and BOT schemes. In telecoms, Court of Audit special 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%. In aviation, an ICAO technical report flagged safety and oversight gaps at Beirut airport that could delay the resumption of direct flights to the United States.
Salaries, wages and work
Contract teachers escalated their moves toward the State Shura Council in protest at unpaid dues under the slogan "our rights have not been paid", according to Lebanon Debate. In hospitality, MTV reported that hotels in Lebanon are resorting to temporary closures amid warnings of permanent shutdown, threatening jobs in the sector. On labour, General Security extended the deadline for regularising foreign workers and Syrian labour until 29 January 2027, warning of stricter enforcement after the deadline.
What to watch
- Whether agreement on the financial gap law is reached before year-end, as cited by Bank Audi's report from the central bank governor.
- Details of the Qatari electricity offer: financing, guarantees and implementation timeline, amid political dispute over who gets credit.
- The reconstruction track and shelter funding, with hundreds of thousands still displaced and damage exceeding 21,000 housing units.
- How the relationship between the banks and the Finance Ministry evolves, and the fate of the deposits file on the seventh anniversary of the 2019 collapse.