Miqati Surprised by Aoun’s Campaign, is Keen on Solving Power Crisis
Premier Najib Miqati’s sources have expressed surprise at the Free Patriotic Movement’s campaign against him after a draft law proposed by FPM chief Michel Aoun on providing $1.2 billion to the energy minister to build power plants drew criticism from lawmakers.
The sources expressed surprise at the campaign saying that Miqati has supported the project but has only conditioned the introduction of measures that would guarantee transparency in the spending of the $1.2 billion which are aimed at building power plants that would generate 700 Megawatts of electricity.
They told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat Sunday that it was unacceptable to hold Miqati responsible for the rejection of MPs to approve the draft law.
The premier is keen on solving the country’s power crisis and has held several meetings away from the media spotlight to solve the controversy on the proposed project, the sources said.
Miqati’s sources also confirmed to An Nahar daily that the prime minister is seeking to introduce articles in the draft law that would allow Energy Minister Jebran Bassil to spend the huge amount of money within the legal framework.
Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi, who represents Walid Jumblat’s bloc in the cabinet, told An Nahar that on many occasions the cabinet has approved a draft law which later received rejection inside parliament.
Opposition MPs and the lawmakers of Jumblat’s National Struggle Front have criticized the draft law for lacking a clear mechanism on the spending of the $1.2 billion.
“All people went electricity. This is a very important issue and has high costs,” Aridi said.
over 12 years
Aoun way of doing business: My way or the highway!
Every proposal has to be debated . . . . .
over 12 years
Giving electricity to the people, eradicating corruption and giving the Lebanese people a good way of life is not debatable.
over 12 years
Mikati wasnt obliged to obtain that post and lower himself to the level he is now at, of course he should be surprised , Aoun doesnt want a governement and that is well known, he is doing everything to steal and if you dont let him, he will topple every governement by force, specially now that his allies Hezbollah are cornered, they will support him so that he can come to the presidency and they can control the country, but he will never see it as they know he is crazy and if they will not respond to him when he will be in power, he might as well send the army in a suicidal misssion to disarm his own friends, no one can put sense into this warmonger general
over 12 years
Does naharnet have a summary of this draft law? How does it propose to provide this extra energy? What sources of energy clean vs fossil fuels does it use? How do they expect to pay off the 1.2b fund? What is the anticipated electrical bill? Are all citizens expected to pay it off? What kind of defence strategy do we have against Israeli jets?
everyone WANT naharnet not WENT :)