Syria to introduce 3 diesel fuel categories amid price protests
Damascus, Syria (North Press) – Syria will introduce three categories of diesel fuel to the market, Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said on Thursday, following protests in several parts of the country over recent fuel price increases.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Youssef Qablawi, head of the Syrian Petroleum Company, al-Bashir said that the government would sell diesel at three different prices depending on its intended use.
The first category will cost 115 Syrian pounds per liter and will be allocated for heating and agricultural use. A second category will be sold at 150 pounds per liter, while standard imported diesel will cost 175 pounds per liter.
Al-Bashir added that an additional type of diesel secured through cooperation with neighboring countries would be sold at 150 pounds per liter for certain productive and service activities, as well as for engineering and heavy machinery.
He indicated that standard-specification diesel would continue to be available at 175 pounds per liter.
The minister said the cost of imported diesel was 206 pounds per liter, while the government would sell it to consumers at 175 pounds.
The Syrian Petroleum Company will also oversee the reopening of several local refineries, with a combined capacity of up to 35,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to al-Bashir.
He said the refineries would supply fuel for agricultural activities and heating.
The officials did not announce any changes to the prices of gasoline or household and industrial gas.
The announcement comes after fuel price increases triggered protests in several areas in recent days, including in Hasakah in northeastern Syria, where residents blocked roads used by fuel tankers in opposition to the higher prices.