Report: Aoun Warns of Failed Efforts to Solve Electricity Crisis

President Michel Aoun's warnings of prolonged failure to address Lebanon's long-standing electricity crisis means the country “could plunge into severe power rationing that could impact everything in Lebanon,” al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.

Ministerial sources told the daily that Aoun has sounded the alarm and stressed the need to find a quick solution for the country's suffering which “means soon there shall be severe power shortage that will affect the Lebanese and various aspects of everyday life.”

During the Cabinet meeting on Thursday Aoun said “we need direct and timely solution to the electricity dilemma.”

Referring to failed tenders to lease power generating ships, he added: “Last time, the tender has failed and I do not know the reason, meanwhile the cost of electricity production is rising. I don't want to hear anymore speeches or remarks, I want solutions otherwise I will go out to the media and frankly say that the government is incapable of addressing the electricity file.”

For his part, Energy Minister Cesar Abi Khalil stressed “the need to take a decision in order to solve the problem. Everyone knows the solution which we presented to the ministerial committee,” the daily quoted him as saying.

Last October, the Tenders Department said that three companies bidding to provide electricity failed to secure the necessary conditions.

The Tenders Department has reportedly criticized the book of conditions of leasing electricity barges, pointing out that the tender deal has “major gaps and lacks competition.”