The Cabinet took stock at economic measures that could contribute to reducing the food and consumer goods’ prices, at its session headed by Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Tuesday.
The Cabinet reviewed the measures taken by the Ministry of Energy in coordination with the Ministries of Information and Environment to open a dialogue with the civil society and relevant stakeholders regarding Bisri Dam.
The Minister of Information also informed the Council of Ministers about launching panel discussions with media representatives in order to look into the Lebanese media conditions, future and empowerment.
PM Diab started the session with a reference to the difficult social and living conditions, which give some of the government's opponents an opportunity to target the cabinet and incite demonstrations by pushing their supporters to go back to blocking roads, organizing movements aimed at provoking clashes between people and the security forces, and exploiting every drop of blood to increase incitement against the government.
Diab pointed out to the Ministry of Economy’s list ofbasic foodstuffs, for which credit lines were opened for purchase from abroad, and which includes around 30 types of commodities, with encouraging indicators of a swift decrease in food commodities prices. Prime Minister Diab called for the intensification ofinspection patrols by the Ministry of Economy, with the support of the Internal Security Forces in order to control price fluctuations.
Diab stressed that this issue should stay on top of our daily agenda. All ministries must contribute to this issue with inputs or field assistance.
The Prime Minister indicated that currency traders will resume operations tomorrow, Wednesday, after ending their strike, according to a series of measures and actions that will contribute to reducing the US dollarexchange rate. He expected these measures to yield quick results within days if they were adhered to.
He also informed the cabinet that the second round of social assistance payments to citizens will be launched within days, and that this assistance will continue to be monthly disbursed until the end of the current year.
As for the coronavirus epidemic, PM Diab explained that we are still at a critical stage, but we can no longer continue the lockdown; there are institutions that began to shutter; employees and workers have begun to lose their jobs.
Diab called for strict measures to be taken, and there should be awareness among people and commitment to measures and health protection. This is the safest way to strike a balance between people's health and their jobs.
The Prime Minister indicated that, upon his request, the Cabinet's General Secretariat sent today a request to the ministries to prepare draft ordersfor the promotion of employees from the third category to the second category, based on the Civil Service Board’s approval.
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