AKIPRESS.COM - The Brazilian government has reached a deal with haulage companies to suspend protests over high diesel prices.

The protests will be halted for 15 days, the government announced, as it promised to scrap fuel taxes and use subsidies to maintain a 10% reduction in pump prices announced on Wednesday.

Hauliers organised the protests, which have jammed roads nationwide over the last four days, BBC reported.

Lorry drivers however have not yet confirmed if they will accept the deal.

One major union representing 700,000 lorry drivers left negotiations before the government announced the compromise, and says it plans to continue with the strikes.

Long queues have formed outside petrol stations and some companies have told employees to stay at home on Friday.

Shortages of basic goods have been reported across the country. Many airports are running out of fuel.

Diesel prices in Brazil have almost doubled since 2016.