Ain Saadeh Residents Block Roads to Protest High-Voltage Power Project
The residents of the North Metn town of Ain Saadeh blocked several roads on Wednesday in protest of a decision to install high-voltage electricity lines in the region.
The residents began rallying at dawn threatening authorities to hamper their plans.
Internal Security forces formed of riot police and Fohoud Special Forces arrived at the scene to open the roads.
LBC TV station said that the protests kicked off on Tuesday at 9:00 pm.
MP Nadim Gemayel, former Minister Salim al-Sayegh representing MP Sami Gemayel and Lebanese Forces member Eddy Abi Lamaa joined the protesters.
The National News Agency reported that the Fouhoud Special Forces withdrew from the area and the trucks loaded with the cables went back to the warehouses.
The sit-in is expected to remain for three days, the NNA said.
The controversial plan to install high voltage electrical lines in the Metn area was highly opposed by the Free Patriotic Movement MPs in 2005 during former Prime Minister Fouad Saniora’s tenure.
The project is sought to connect a power plant in Mkalles to another in Bsalim in order to supply more power to the region.
However, when FPM member Jebran Bassil was tasked to lead the Energy Ministry in 2009, he adopted the plan.
Bassil argues that the project doesn’t pose any danger on health amid fears over the potential risks of electromagnetic fields.
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