The head of the "Democratic Gathering" bloc, MP Taymour Jumblatt, urged "to make all possible efforts to avoid falling into a total vacuum and to respect constitutional deadlines, in order to prevent complete paralysis and total collapse." He called for "accelerating the resolution of the customs dollar issue on a fair basis, leading to a budget that takes into account financial balance, and reviewing social, health, and wage benefits."
Jumblatt emphasized that "it is essential to proceed with the reform steps in the electricity sector, particularly regarding the establishment of a regulatory authority and reexamining tariffs to improve supply, as well as paving the way for the implementation of the agreement on the electricity import project from Jordan."
His statements came on the sidelines of Saturday meetings at the Mikhayat Palace with delegations visiting him from the mountain regions, where they discussed the ongoing struggles with essential issues, notably electricity and water. Municipal councils raised complaints with him regarding the cessation of pumping stations due to a lack of diesel fuel and the absence of electricity. In this context, Jumblatt tasked MP Wael Abu Faour, who joined fellow members of the Democratic Gathering in the meetings: Akram Shehayyeb, Dr. Bilal Abdullah, Raji Saad, Faisal Al-Sayegh, Hadi Abu Al-Hassan, the Secretary General of the Progressive Socialist Party, Zafer Nasser, and Jumblatt's advisor, Hussam Harb, to contact caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and the Governor of the Central Bank, Riad Salameh, to secure the necessary credits for purchasing fuel and to assist the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Authority in continuing its tasks amid the citizens' acute crises.
MP Jumblatt also continued discussions with a large popular delegation from the town of Yanta and the families of the two young men, Tarek Mahmoud Zidan and Yahya Kamel Al-Din, who were killed by gunfire on the outskirts of the town near the borders with Syria, in an effort to uncover the reasons and motives behind the crime more than 40 days after it occurred. Speeches were delivered on behalf of the delegation, emphasizing their "full confidence in the Mikhayat reference to reach the truth regarding this case." MP Jumblatt made communications with relevant parties concerning this matter.
Furthermore, Jumblatt discussed with a delegation from the town of Ketermaya, including the mayor Yahya Al-Din, the town's mosque imam Sheikh Ahmad Al-Din, Sheikh Khaled Al-Daher, and prominent figures, issues related to essential services, particularly those connected to electricity and water. He also addressed matters regarding Palestinian families with a delegation from Aanaout and family-specific issues with a delegation of sheikhs from the Amasha family in Hasbaya. In this context, he received a series of inquiries from delegations, figures, and individuals.
MP Jumblatt welcomed tourism delegations from Lebanon and abroad who also learned about the historical, heritage, and archaeological aspects of the Mikhayat Palace and visited the public library.
