Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati chaired a meeting of the ministerial committee dedicated to the electricity file at the Grand Serail, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al-Shami, Defense Minister Maurice Sleem, Justice Minister Henry Khoury, Energy and Water Minister Walid Fayyad, Tourism Minister Walid Nassar, Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh, Culture Minister Mohamed Wissam Murtada, Interior and Municipalities Minister Bassam Mawlawi, Industry Minister George Bouxikian, Finance Minister Youssef Khalil, Director General of the Presidency of the Republic Antoine Chuqair, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Makiyeh, Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Major General Mohamed Mustafa, Director General of Finance George Maalouy, Director General of Electricité du Liban Kamal Hayek, representing the Army Command Brigadier General Jean Nahra, representing the Internal Security Forces Colonel Johnny Dagher, and head of the Prime Minister's Office Jamal Karim.
It was decided to approve the content of the proposals submitted by Electricité du Liban and the Ministry of Energy and Water, particularly concerning granting Electricité du Liban a treasury advance of $42 million, which will allow for the unloading of fuel tankers, provided that their stockpiles are used only based on a clear and explicit decision issued by the committee. The Minister of Energy and Water was also requested to negotiate with the supplier to obtain an exemption from delay penalties. The attendees agreed to hold a second meeting of the committee before February 10 to evaluate the success indicators of the plan and to follow up on its implementation.
Mikati also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdullah Bou Habib to discuss Lebanon's financial obligations to the United Nations.
