Hezbollah has spent $ 10 million on Iranian gasoline for Lebanese, says Nasrallah

Lebanese Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah addresses his supporters through a screen during a rally to commemorate the annual Hezbollah Martyrs Day in Nabatieh, Lebanon, on November 11, 2021. REUTERS / Aziz Taher

BEIRUT, Nov. 26 (Reuters) – Lebanese Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said Friday the group has spent more than $ 10 million on free and subsidized fuel from Iran for the Lebanese people since September.

In a televised address, Nasrallah said $ 2.6 million of fuel was given free of charge to Lebanese NGOs, communities, state hospitals and other organizations, while more than $ 7.5 million was sold at subsidized prices .

He said the program would last for another month and then end, and that those living above 500 meters would have priority as the cold winter months approached.

Hezbollah began importing Iranian fuel through Syria in September to address the shortage in the country caused by its devastating economic crisis.

The fuel was transported by truck convoys from the Syrian port of Banyas to Lebanon in order to avoid possible US sanctions against Lebanon for dealing with Iran.

The fuel shortage in Lebanon peaked in the summer but has diminished after the government cut almost all subsidies, causing prices to skyrocket and consumption to decline.

Reporting by Timour Azhari and Laila Bassam Editing by William Maclean and Matthew Lewis

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