Fuel prices slip, cooking gas rises, and the IMF speaks of 'significant progress'
Petrol and diesel prices fell in the latest pricing round while the household gas cylinder rose, with the official dollar rate steady at 89,500 liras and the euro slightly lower. On the financial track, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Lebanon had made 'significant progress' toward a financing programme, with a Fund mission expected in Beirut between 9 and 13 November. On daily living, contract professors at the Lebanese University continue their strike, while the end of UNIFIL's mandate by late 2026 raises concern over livelihoods in the south.
Fuel slips while household gas rises
The latest pricing showed the 95-octane petrol can down from 2,795,000 to 2,773,000 liras and 98-octane from 2,813,000 to 2,791,000 liras, while diesel fell from 2,589,000 to 2,578,000 liras. The 10 kg household gas cylinder, by contrast, rose from 1,383,000 to 1,418,000 liras. Gold edged up, with the ounce rising from $4,177 to $4,184 and the 21-carat gram from $117.51 to $117.70.
Official dollar steady as depositors await withdrawals
The official dollar rate held at 89,500 liras, while the euro slipped from 100,605 to 100,465 liras. Newspapers reported an expected increase in depositors' withdrawals, with questions over whether the money will reach them in cash. In this context, Asharq Bloomberg quoted IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as saying Lebanon had made 'significant progress' in negotiations with the Fund.
Contract professors strike as guidance counsellors are excluded
The committee of contract professors at the Lebanese University announced the continuation of the strike across all branches until the tenure (tafarrgh) file is approved, calling for a mass sit-in alongside the cabinet session. In education too, the evening-shift educational guidance committee objected to the exclusion of about 400 guidance counsellors under memo No. 198/2026, saying the exclusion came after more than 12 years of service and without prior warning, and called for a protest outside the Education Ministry on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
Electricity, UNIFIL and the airport on the table
Political debate continues over a Qatari offer to address the electricity crisis, with a press report raising questions about the absence of a clear plan, financing, guarantees and a timeline. In the south, residents voiced concern over the end of UNIFIL's mandate in late 2026; the force has about 7,500 personnel and some 400 Lebanese work with it, and the mayor of Ibl al-Saqi warned of a security and economic vacuum. An ICAO report also found safety gaps at Beirut airport that could delay the resumption of direct flights to the United States.
IMF mission to Beirut and the financial gap law
A Lebanese delegation led by Finance Minister Yassine Jaber took part in the World Bank and IMF annual meetings in Bangkok; talks covered preparations for an IMF mission to Beirut between 9 and 13 November to discuss the draft financial gap law and the medium-term fiscal framework, plus new World Bank financing projects. On war damage, partial figures point to more than 21,000 housing units destroyed with hundreds of thousands still displaced, while the Public Works Ministry announced a broad plan to rehabilitate the south.
What to watch
- The IMF mission to Beirut between 9 and 13 November and the fate of the financial gap law
- The next cabinet session and the tenure file for contract professors at the Lebanese University
- Developments in the Qatari electricity offer and whether financing and guarantees are secured
- The fate of depositors' withdrawals and whether they will arrive in cash
- The end of UNIFIL's mandate in late 2026 and its impact on workers and the southern economy