Berri Urges Cabinet to Issue Decree on Oil Exploration, Threatens to Question it
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Speaker Nabih Berri threatened on Tuesday the government against failing to issue the decrees concerning the implementation of decisions reached on oil exploration.
As Safir newspaper reported that Berri warned to call on the parliament to convene to question the cabinet over its performance if it didn’t issue the decrees during a session scheduled to be held at Baabda palace on Wednesday.
The speaker noted that Prime Minister Najib Miqati and Energy Minister Jebran Bassil had committed themselves to issue the decrees by the end of the year.
“I will not accept any breach in the obligations… I will call for a parliamentary session to inquire the cabinet, even if the concerned party was a friend or an ally,” Berri said.
He noted that the “economic and financial crisis created a dispute on the wage hike boost… However; we continue ignoring the offshore oil wealth.”
Berri said in remarks published in the daily that “Cyprus and Israel began applying measures by kicking off the exploration expeditions, while we continue wasting time.”
“I can’t tolerate (any delay) after I was patient enough,” the speaker added.
The cabinet approved in September the proposed borders of Lebanon’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Mediterranean.
However, a dispute had sparked between Lebanon and Israel over the maritime border after the discovery of potential offshore energy reserves.
The Israeli cabinet in July approved a map, which conflicts with Lebanon's proposed borders. It was submitted to the U.N. that has been asked to mediate the growing conflict.
27 December 2011, 08:39
01
I agree with Berri. Lebanon's Natural Gas is not a luxury we can afford to ignore. It's a relatively clean method of energy, and will help Lebanon (all of it) immensely.
I hate to admit, but Berri is very right in pushing this forward.
27 December 2011, 10:25
02
There's only one problem... just google the map on internet guys...
27 December 2011, 10:42
05
Keep the gas in the sea we don't want berri, noun and co stealing it! I would prefer the Israelis to get it not our shower of crooks and thieves! Cheers all have a festive season
27 December 2011, 14:08
02
they can t agree because they still are arguing on how to share this new cake between them!!!
27 December 2011, 14:55
03
The country and the region is going to hell and all this idiot cares about is oil exploration...I wonder how much money he stands to make off oil exploration. Unbelievable what a corrupt thug Berri is.
27 December 2011, 15:23
20
"I would prefer the Israelis to get it not our shower of crooks and thieves"
marie.
here is the example of zionist information war department being honest
27 December 2011, 15:23
20
this is how we recognize them...they can't pretend to be lebanese all the time.
their true identity slips from time to time.
27 December 2011, 15:35
02
habal ahbal, yes i do not want hassouni,aoun, berri and the rest of these crooks to get their hand on the gas. They stole enough and destroyed enough of this country! they can go to hell but no more money! send them to your family and firends in Syria and Iran and you can lead the way...
27 December 2011, 15:52
20
Marie. I understand that more than half of the oil wealth will be stolen by our politicians. However, about a half of that oil wealth will come to the country + the politicians give money to lebanese to get reelected and hence recycle the money. While israelis will buy weapons to bomb us. so ur argument is stupid at best.
27 December 2011, 16:33
02
jabalramel, yor anglish very good. Dakhlak moooo, wlek moooo, lek wearrr I can learn it zis anglish metl you ? mooooo nafs el maderseh rehna nehna weyaaak ? Lazem ne2dor dafe33 3an taj rasna 3al antarnet bel naharnet wel facebook wel youtube. Shennoo fi sahyoneeyeh ktir bel antarnet.
27 December 2011, 17:04
03
Exploring for natural gas in the ocean is a technically complicated and costly operation. Foreign companies that have the skills are needed to do the work and this is what our politicians are waiting for to get their kick back from those who would win these drilling contracts!
Berri like most Lebanese politicians from all sides and sects care less about lebanon or the Lebanese and more about amassing more riches under the "worshiping" eyes of their constituents!
27 December 2011, 17:55
03
Drill it quickly before M8 falls so they can let the Iranians on the contract and Berri can get a piece of the action.
I say no drilling until ASSad falls. Then lets see how badly Berri wants to drill with M14 in power. Plus, most of the profit will be used to pay the debt from the Shia not paying electricity and bankrupting the country.
27 December 2011, 18:08
03
neutral, no i disagree, enough is enough from this shower of crooks, the oil/gas can wait but we need to get rid of this shit above ground before we go and explore below the sea...
27 December 2011, 20:31
00
The drug money is not enough.....we need to steal oil money too. We need more guns to have another rape of Beirut. Oil money will offset the Shia not paying electricity and bankrupting the country.
28 December 2011, 07:54
00
The world is busy with the Syrian regime...best time for me to find a cash pot....
28 December 2011, 10:47
00
Haram, he is in need for more money to put food on the table
