RABAT, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Morocco announced on Thursday a monthly subsidy package totaling 180 million U.S. dollars to cushion the impact of surging energy prices triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Budget Minister Faouzi Lekjaa said in a press briefing that the emergency plan includes three core measures, which are freezing domestic butane gas prices with a state subsidy of 8 dollars per 12-kg bottle, stabilizing electricity tariffs for households, and providing direct subsidies to transport operators to prevent fare hikes.
The decision came amid heightened regional tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on Feb. 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East.
The conflict, now in its second month, has been disrupting energy flows and pushing prices higher globally.
