Severe diesel shortages add to Egypt's economic woes Severe diesel shortages add to Egypt's economic woes. Truck and microbus drivers wait in long lines to refuel and add to Cairo's already congested streets. Egypt imports approximately 40 per cent of its diesel supply, which it must pay for in foreign currency. An official at the Suez Canal Authority reported that ships were refusing to offload their diesel cargo due to the inability of importers to pay in US dollars. Images and soundbites of people at petrol stations in Cairo