Naharnet

Berri Says Energy Reserves Plan to be Tackled after Electricity Accomplishment

Speaker Nabih Berri praised the Lebanese officials’ cooperation in approving the electricity project, An Nahar newspaper reported on Friday.

“The Lebanese won… Political disputes and discussions are normal, but when it comes to the people’s livelihoods and economic status, everyone should compromise,” Berri said.

He stressed in comments to the daily that “the electricity draft law issue became behind us, now the energy reserves draft law is awaiting and we should all unite to preserve this national treasure.”

The parliament endorsed on Thursday an electricity draft law that was approved a day earlier by the joint parliamentary committees based on a proposal made by Berri and rejected by MP Michel Aoun’s Change and Reform bloc.

Aoun expressed reservations on the bill during the session.

The joint committees agreed during Wednesday’s meeting on modifying the electricity proposal adopted by the cabinet, which forces Energy Minister Jebran Bassil to form a new board of directors for Electricite du Liban and the Electricity Regulatory Authority after the parliament approves the draft law.

However, Aoun insisted that the draft law approved during the meeting contradicted with the initial energy bill endorsed by the cabinet on Sept. 7 which stated that Bassil should form the Electricity Regulatory Authority within three months and Electricite du Liban’s board of directors within two months.

Sources close to Prime Minister Najib Miqati expressed relief after the draft law was approved.

They stressed the importance of the cooperation between the parliament and the cabinet despite the political fuss and the controversy that accompanied it.

The sources added: “The PM will continue (to adopt) calm approach to all matters, where priority is for implementing projects that matter to the people.”

Former Prime Minister MP Fouad Saniora’s sources told An Nahar that Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc and the March 14 forces proved its role as an objective opposition.


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