The Minister of Energy welcomed the government's decisions, noting that what the government approved was essentially his demand, as the approval was granted for the entire advance requested by the Ministry of Energy, which amounts to $300 million. Concurrently, Fayad stated that the government has agreed to disburse half of the requested advance in the current phase, which consists of two advances totaling $116 million ($62 million + $54 million). The remaining two advances, totaling $184 million ($42 million + $142 million), are awaiting a meeting of the ministerial committee tasked with following up on the implementation of the plan. Fayad told "Al-Joumhouria" that the most important outcome of the cabinet meeting, in his opinion, was the signing of the decision, meaning the approval of the full advance requested by the Ministry of Energy, which was documented in a letter he sent on January 13 to the cabinet. He confirmed to "Al-Joumhouria" that the committee does not need another cabinet meeting, as some have suggested, meaning there will be no political obstacles to the decision regarding holding a government session since the advance received approval in yesterday's session and does not require further approval.
Regarding the Prime Minister linking execution to decisions made by the committee resulting from yesterday's ministerial meeting, Fayad confirmed to "Al-Joumhouria" that this committee is also essential for him, as he initially requested its formation because the implementation of the emergency plan requires the presence of the Ministers of Finance, Defense, and Interior to help in removing violations and strengthening revenue collection. Fayad referenced a letter documenting his request that he sent to Mikati on December 27, urging for these ministers to be invited to a meeting to support the implementation of the rescue plan. He emphasized that he is more committed than anyone else to the establishment of this committee and its role.
The most important matter for Fayad, according to him in "Al-Joumhouria," is that he is more in need now than ever of the third advance due to its necessity. He called on Mikati, who Fayad welcomed as the head of the committee, to convene it today before tomorrow to decide on the third advance, which the government conditioned upon its meeting and approval before passing it. Fayad revealed that he sent an evening message to Mikati thanking him for the decisions related to the electricity advance and urged him to expedite calling the ministerial committee to meet, warning that the two fuel tankers A and B are still at sea, and if the approval for the advance is delayed, it would result in daily losses of $40,000. He pointed out that "the government has passed two advances but we still need the third advance that should have been approved alongside the other two." Fayad warned that the delay until Monday would cost Lebanon's finances $140,000. He confirmed to "Al-Joumhouria" that he considers himself a winner and not a loser, contrary to what some might suggest, but the key element, in his opinion, remains in the execution and in accelerating the committee's meeting without obstruction or procrastination.
