National Struggle Front: No Political Intentions Behind Skepticism on Electricity Draft Law

National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblat has denied that a decision by his MPs to accept the postponement of discussion on a controversial draft-law on electricity was aimed at accusing Change and Reform bloc leader Michel Aoun of seeking to squander funds.

Jumblat was referring to the heated debate in parliament on Wednesday over the draft law proposed by Aoun to allow the energy ministry to raise a $1.2 billion fund to build power plants.

The draft law would allow Energy Minister Jebran Bassil, who is Aoun’s son-in-law, to start work on plants even before the funds are allocated.

Opposition MPs strongly opposed the draft law and the lawmakers of the National Struggle Front were also skeptical about it.

The stance of National Struggle Front MPs at the parliament session was only technical and had nothing to do with the parliamentary majority or opposition, Jumblat told As Safir daily on Thursday, saying that it shouldn’t be accused of taking a political decision.

“This is a sensitive issue,” Jumblat said. “It should be discussed well in the cabinet because it has to do with the spending of a huge amount of money.”