‘People are destitute’: Lebanon’s spiralling prices fuel fears of social unrest
‘People are destitute’: Lebanon’s spiralling prices fuel fears of social unrest Submitted by Maya Saad on Thu, 09/24/2026 - 12:16 Lebanese struggle with worsening cost-of-living crisis and surging fuel prices as unions call for general strike A retired Lebanese soldier burns tyres during a protest opposing the draft 2027 state budget, near government and parliament buildings in Beirut, 9…
Lebanon's spiralling prices have left the country's residents in dire straits, sparking fears of social unrest. The cost of living has reached catastrophic levels, with fuel prices having doubled since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran. This week, fuel prices surged to almost $1.60 per litre, further exacerbating the crisis.
Lebanon's weary residents are pleading with the government to declare a state of economic emergency, with unions threatening to declare an open-ended general strike. President Joseph Aoun has acknowledged the unions' demands, yet the cash-strapped state lacks the capacity to alleviate the impact of rising prices on essential goods.
The Lebanese trade union federation has warned that the country is facing a social catastrophe, with people unable to afford basic necessities such as bread and meals. The economic situation is expected to deteriorate further, with Lebanon's economy projected to contract by 6.4 percent in 2026, despite ongoing conflict and regional instability.
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