“Two offers were submitted to import fuel, but we will extend for a week until next Monday to allow more competition,” Boustani said in a news conference, indicating that some pressure is being exerted on companies not to present their offers.

“The pressure that happened has nothing to do with politics ... Legally, we can proceed with the two offers, but we received requests to delay the evaluation of bids", Boustani explained.

The ministry is trialing a tender to import 150,000 tons of 95 octane gasoline in an effort to steer clear of fuel shortage that hit the country in the past few weeks.