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Friday, October 16, 2026English edition
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The Geopolitician

Country risk, from the local press

Lebanon · Country watch

Lebanon Shipping Costs Rise, Energy Minister Absent

Rising shipping costs reshape Lebanon's trade; Energy Minister's absence signals ongoing government tensions.

· · 3 sources

The picture Deteriorating

Business conditions in Lebanon are deteriorating due to rising shipping costs affecting trade and ongoing government tensions with the Energy Minister's absence. The electricity crisis remains unresolved, adding to the uncertainty.

In this briefing Michel Aoun · Government of Lebanon · Lebanon · Lebanese importers · Joe Saddeh

Regulation

  • public-sector

President Aoun signs decree amending transport allowance

brown concrete building with blue and white sign
Christelle Hayek / Unsplash

Lebanese President Michel Aoun signed a decree amending the transport allowance for public sector employees, Almaner News reports. The adjustment aims to offset rising living costs and improve public sector workers' living conditions. This move is part of broader efforts to address economic challenges facing Lebanon.

Impact Public sector employees see transport allowance changes, affecting their disposable income.

Sources: Almaner News ↗

Disruption

Nothing significant reported today.

Internal tension

Nothing significant reported today.

Safety & health

Nothing significant reported today.

Companies

Nothing significant reported today.

Markets

Nothing significant reported today.

Trade

  • logistics
  • retail

Rising shipping costs reshape Lebanon's trade routes

Lebanese importers face rising shipping costs due to geopolitical tensions and security risks, reports Leb Economy. These factors are prompting businesses to reconsider their supply chains, seeking closer markets and alternative suppliers. The increased costs are becoming a significant factor in import decisions, potentially altering Lebanon's trade landscape.

Impact Importers face higher costs, prompting a search for closer markets and suppliers.

Sources: Leb Economy ↗

Politics

  • energy
  • public-sector

Energy Minister Joe Saddeh absent from cabinet session

Lebanon's Energy Minister Joe Saddeh continued his boycott of cabinet meetings on Thursday, according to An-Nahar. Saddeh's absence highlights unresolved tensions within the government. Sources close to Saddeh indicate that his return depends on the government's willingness to address his four demands, which relate to the ongoing electricity crisis. Saddeh's absence could exacerbate the electricity issues, previously managed through temporary solutions and inadequate funding.

Impact Energy sector operators face ongoing uncertainty as the electricity crisis remains unresolved.

Sources: An-Nahar النهار ↗

Also today in Lebanon

Sources in this briefing

Sources: each headline links to the original article on the publisher's site.

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The same day elsewhere