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Lebanon at risk of major food crisis, PM warns

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BEIRUT: Lebanon is at risk of a major food crisis and many Lebanese may soon find it hard to afford bread because of an acute financial crunch and the fall-out of COVID-19, the prime minister warned.

Writing in the Washington Post, Hassan Diab also warned of a global food security emergency triggered by the pandemic. He said attempts to restrict food exports must be resisted, and called on the United States and the European Union to set up an emergency fund to help the Middle East avoid a severe crisis.

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Otherwise, "starvation may spark a new migration flow to Europe and further destabilise the region", he wrote.

Lebanon was in deep crisis even before COVID-19. The local currency has more than halved in value since October 2019 amid a hard currency liquidity shortage. Inflation and unemployment are soaring. Lebanon defaulted on its sovereign debt in March.

READ: Crisis-hit Lebanon to approve economic rescue plan

READ: Lebanon says ready to float pound only after aid secured

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Imported food prices had more than doubled since the start of 2020, Diab wrote. More than half of Lebanon's food is imported.

"Once the breadbasket of the Eastern Mediterranean, Lebanon is facing a dramatic challenge that seemed unimaginable a decade ago: the risk of a major food crisis," Diab wrote.

"A few weeks ago, Lebanon witnessed its first 'hunger protests'. Many LebanRead More – Source

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