Growing Differences Threaten Efforts to Resolve Electricity Crisis

Premier Najib Miqati struck a pessimistic tone on the power crisis on Friday despite an offer by his Georgian counterpart to provide electricity to Lebanon via Turkey.

In remarks to As Safir daily, Miqati said he did not invite a ministerial committee tasked with resolving the crisis to a meeting on Thursday after he “found out that it would not be useful anymore to hold unproductive meetings.”

“The committee exhausted all means available without making recommendations,” he said.

Energy Minister Jebran Bassil is pushing for the leasing of power-generating vessels. Two companies, Turkish and American, have already won the tenders and are expected to cost the treasury over $1 billion - around $400 million for the rent and $500 million for fuel prices.

But the premier has openly opposed the project. He told As Safir that he would refer to the government a report that includes his vision on how to solve the power crisis.

“Let the cabinet assume its responsibility in taking the appropriate decision after all opinions are heard,” Miqati said. “I won’t impose my opinion on anyone.”

The report, which will be placed on the agenda of the cabinet that will convene at the Baabda Palace next Wednesday, will include all the necessary explanations on his rejection to lease the ships.

Miqati stressed that he would suggest an alternative solution that could be implemented swiftly.

His remarks came as Georgia’s Prime Minister, Nika Gilauri, announced during a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart that he would study the possibility of transmitting electricity from Georgia to Lebanon via Turkey at low costs.

“This could take place through Syria or by installing pipes under the sea,” he said.

When asked by An Nahar daily about the reason behind Bassil’s absence from the talks held between Miqati and Gilauri, the PM’s sources said the Georgian official was in Beirut on a business trip and not on an official visit.

“There was no agenda for his talks,” they told the newspaper, saying “the electricity issue was discussed when the Georgian official launched the initiative based on his experience in the field.”

Member of the ministerial committee tasked with resolving the electricity crisis, Minister Nazem al-Khoury, told An Nahar that Miqati is keen on the construction of power plants within a year, while Bassil is supporting the leasing of the vessels.

“We are in need of both,” he said. “At a time when a plant or two generating 1,000 Megawatts are being built, (the government) could use the vessels,” he said.

The differences between Miqati and Bassil, who is part of MP Michel Aoun’s Change and Reform bloc, also expanded to a dispute between the prime minister and Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi, who is loyal to him.

Miqati’s sources snapped back at al-Safadi who had criticized the premier for limiting the role of ministries.

Miqati is keen on playing his role and has the authority to express his opinion on all issues, they told An Nahar and al-Liwaa, saying it is up to the government to take the final decision.

The sources stressed however that the premier has no differences with any party.