Electricity Crisis Likely to Renew Cabinet Dispute during Wednesday’s Session

The cabinet session on Wednesday is expected to tackle thorny issues with 69 articles on its agenda, local newspapers reported.

The most prominent issue is the energy ministry’s request to approve an agreement with Iran, which allows Tehran to provide Lebanon with 200-400 megawatts of electricity to resolve the country’s lingering power crisis.

However, An Nahar newspaper reported that Prime Minister Najib Miqati is leaning towards refusing the leasing of power-generating vessels as they cost high and are “useless.”

Informed sources told the daily that the premier considers that those vessels will not produce more electricity but will only be a partial option to help the rehabilitation of the Zouk and al-Zahrani power stations.

A ministerial committee, which is expected to convene on Wednesday ahead of the cabinet session, will likely witness a heated debate between Miqati and Energy Minister Jebran Bassil.

Lebanon had suffered over the past months from severe power outages, which have provoked citizens to launch a series of demonstrations.

According to al-Joumhouria newspaper, the cabinet session that will be held at the Grand Serail will also tackle alleged smuggling operations along the Lebanese-Syrian border.

The local media reported that the appointment of top civil servants in state posts isn’t on the cabinet’s agenda, the article which generated a dispute previously between Miqati and the Free Patriotic Movement ministers creating a 3-week government crisis.

The cabinet will also discuss the defense ministry’s request to enroll 200 student officers in the army.

It will also address draft-laws concerning money laundering, organizing the electronic media, and the dilapidated buildings in al-Nehme.