The National Times - Global fuel price demos: a round-up

With the price of diesel topping six dollars a gallon in the US, here is a round-up of some of the global unrest in recent months over the cost of living, driven up by the Middle East war.

- Syria hunger demos -

In Syria, demonstrations have multiplied over recent days against a drastic increase in fuel prices.

In the predominantly Kurdish city of Qamishli, hundreds of people marched on Tuesday carrying placards reading: "No to the starvation policy" and "No to the increase in fuel prices."

"We are demanding our rights. The prices of diesel and bread must return to what they were, and they must comply with the people's demands," said demonstrator Khansa Nehmat, 48.

- French fishermen -

Hundreds of fishermen blocked oil depots in southern France for several days to protest against rising fuel prices and deteriorating working conditions, ahead of a presidential election next year.

The blockades in Frontignan and Fos-sur-Mer have been lifted, but Ange Natoli, a fishermen's representative, said he wanted to continue the movement until they were able to speak directly to Fisheries Minister Catherine Chabaud.

"We are not easing the pressure," he told AFP.

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called for the government's "full mobilisation" on fuel supply and prices, a spokeswoman said.

- Bolivia tractor protest -

Several hundred farmers demonstrated this month in the Bolivian city of Cochabamba against diesel costs -- one of them pulling a tractor with a rope.

Under a decree, the price of diesel rose from $0.8 to $1.5 per litre for consumers who buy large quantities, including agricultural producers.

"This is contributing significantly to the rise in the cost of basic goods," said Elena Aine, a 40-year-old farmer.

- Guatemala clashes -

In southern Guatemala, two police officers were wounded by gunfire on Friday during clashes with residents taking part in roadblocks.

For two months, unions have been demanding state intervention to reduce pump prices which they say have driven up the cost of essential goods and transport.

- Indonesia demo -

Around 100 people gathered near a government building in the Indonesian city of Surabaya in June, AFP journalists saw.

They were protesting a fuel price hike and a free school meals programme that was blighted by mass food poisonings and corruption claims.

Authorities charged four people over the rally, a local police official said.

- Deadly Comoros clashes -

Days of protests in May against fuel price increases in the Comoros islands off east Africa left at least one person dead, authorities said.

The hikes announced by the government included a 46-percent rise in the cost of diesel.

- US inflation tension -

In the United States, living costs have sparked political tension ahead of midterm congressional elections in November.

Rising inflation has prompted the US Federal Reserve to consider raising interest rates despite opposition from President Donald Trump, who this year appointed Kevin Warsh as Fed chair.

Warsh is "either going to completely disappoint the markets, or he runs the risk that he's going to start to anger Donald Trump", said David Wessel, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

S.M.Riley--TNT