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BEIRUT, April 23 (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia wsick ban vegatables and fruits originating from Lebanon from coming into or passing by way of the dominion as a result of an enhance in drug smuggling, Saudi state media reported on Friday.
The measure may enhance financial strain on Lebanon, already on the verge of economic collapse due to a scarcity of overseas forex.
State information company SPA quoted the Saudi authorities as sayingLebanon had didn’t take sensible measures to cease the smuggling. The ban will take impact from9:00 a.m. native time on Sunday and final till Lebanese authorities present “enough and dependable” ensures they’ll take the required measures to cease systematic drug smuggling in Saudi Arabia.
There was no fast remark by Lebanon’s authorities or the agriculture minister. One Lebanese official, talking on situation of anonymity, stated the ban seemed to be political.
“The export of Lebanese greens and fruits to the Gulf international locations and particularly the dominion was one of many few doorways that have been nonetheless open to deliver {dollars} into the nation. Closing this import line will increase strain on Lebanon,” he stated.
Lebanon’s whole imports to Saudi Arabia have been price 273.1 million riyals ($72.82 million) within the fourth quarter of 2020, official Saudi information confirmed.
Lebanon is within the throes of a deep monetary disaster that’s posing the most important menace to its stability because the 1975-1990 civil warfare. The forex has misplaced round 90% of its worth and {dollars} are scarce.
The disaster is being compounded by political impasse, with politicians unable to type a authorities to unlock much-needed overseas assist.
Gulf states, together with Saudi Arabia, have thus far been loath to supply assist to ease Beirut’s financial woes, conserving their distance whereas alarmed by the rising affect of Hezbollah, a robust group backed by their arch-rival Iran.
($1 = 3.7502 riyals)
(Reporting by Laila Bassam and Maha El Dahan in Beirut and Yousef Saba in Dubai Modifying by Toby Chopra and Peter Graff)
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