‘People are destitute’: Lebanon’s spiralling prices fuel fears of social unrest

Lebanon’s fuel prices have doubled since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, sparking public outcry as the country’s weary residents say the ever-higher cost of living is once again pushing them to the brink. Fuel prices surged to almost $1.60 per litre in Lebanon this week, amid a global rise in costs that has seen widespread protests in neighbouring Syria. Three years of conflict with Israel and wars across the region have further decimated an already battered Lebanese economy. The Lebanese trade union federation urged the government to declare a state of economic emergency on Monday and threatened to announce an open-ended general strike next week. Read more: ‘People are destitute’: Lebanon’s spiralling prices fuel fears of social unrest A retired Lebanese soldier burns tyres during a protest opposing the draft 2027 state budget, near government and parliament buildings in Beirut, 9 September 2026 (Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)