A fresh fuel shortage entered its third day Wednesday in Cairo, Sharqiya, Beheira, Kafr al-Sheikh, Sohag, Minya and Assiut.
Lines of cars appeared outside fuel stations, and traffic movement slowed down sharply.
In Cairo’s Dokki neighborhood, some car owners quarreled with station workers after they refused to give them fuel in jerry cans.
Some bakery owners also complained about the shortage.
Supply Minister Abu Zeid Mohamed Abu Zeid said the ministry would identify the amounts of fuel transferred to gas stations and inform petroleum companies of regions that are suffering shortages. He also said a 10-day reserve should be secured for each bakery.
On Tuesday, the Petroleum Ministry said the current crisis would end Wednesday, denying that the government planned to cancel fuel subsidies despite its soaring black market rates. Petroleum Minister Osama Kamal told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the ministry will pump extra amounts in greater Cairo and the Upper Egyptian provinces.
Over the past two days, hundreds of citizens in Cairo, Assiut and Fayoum have staged demonstrations over the shortage.
On Monday, some bus drivers threatened to stage an open-ended sit-in if the fuel subsidy is cancelled.
Youssef Metwalli, a driver, said the government should protect consumers from the black market and prevent the prices from soaring further.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
