Lebanon fuel crunch inspires demonstrations at gas stations and supermarkets Rocket-propelled grenades found in Beirut rubbish BEIRUT: Josep Borrell, the high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy and vice-president of the European Commission, is expected to start a round of talks with Lebanese officials in Beirut on Saturday. This comes days ahead of a meeting of EU officials in Brussels, called by France, to discuss imposing sanctions on Lebanese officials accused of corruption and political obstruction. Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, director general of the General Security, highlighted “Russia’s constant will to stand by Lebanon and support it on the economic and security levels.” He made his comments following talks with Russian officials. Ibrahim added: “There should be a government, regardless of its form, in order to find solutions to all problems in Lebanon.” He is a prominent figure in Lebanon who often conducts foreign negotiations. Meanwhile, the living crisis is worsening, leading to armed clashes. People are still waiting for long hours to fill up on gasoline amid shortages of fuel, which is subsidized by the state. The subsidy is expected to be lifted soon. But this is dependent on the ration card for needy people, which is still being debated by parliamentary committees. The fuel crisis sparked a clash on Friday in front of a gas station in Tripoli, which led to a shooting, with no casualties. Also in Tripoli, a clash in front of a supermarket led to exchanging shots, causing two injuries. The city has the biggest percentage of struggling Lebanese, who were impoverished further due to the collapse of the currency. For the second consecutive day, employees of the public sector stuck to their strike which was called for by the Public Administration Employees Association in protest against the collapse of their purchasing power and the deterioration of economic and living conditions. Contacts and consultations related to forming the new government have stalled after the failure of the initiative of the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, but he has insisted that “it is still standing.” Walid Jumblatt, president of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) said: “It is impossible for some officials to keep waiting while the country’s conditions are retreating.” Jumblatt added: “It is time for a settlement away from personal calculations.” In the past two days, Berri had joined Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri in accusing President Michel Aoun and his political party of trying to get the blocking third in the government, contrary to the constitution. Meanwhile, Lebanese Internal Security forces announced that they “captured 16 RPG type rocket-propelled grenades, and five grenades of other types dumped in waste containers near the House of the Druze Community in Lebanon in Beirut.” Internal Security also declared that the “old ammunition” was removed after being examined by its explosives experts. The identity of the party which disposed of the ammunition remains unknown. The Anti-Narcotics Division at the Lebanese Customs seized a large quantity of Captagon pills hidden in a container loaded with stones, destined to be smuggled to Saudi Arabia via the port of Beirut. “Some people implicated in the operation were arrested,” declared the caretaker Minister of Interior Mohammed Fahmi. Speaking at the Port of Beirut, he revealed that the shipment was destined for Jeddah.