It seems that hot political issues have overshadowed the daily concerns of citizens, who are increasingly at the mercy of the madness of the US dollar exchange rate, with the official exchange rate rising to 15,000 Lebanese pounds amidst a fog of uncertainties that provoke many fears about the economic and living situation. The electricity file has lost its significance in light of recent political developments and the discussion and approval of a budget that lacks a plan for electricity to stop the bleeding of its chronic deficit. It has become marginalized in light of the noticeable acceleration in the maritime border demarcation file between Lebanon and Israel and the anticipated visit of the American mediator in the next 24 hours, according to Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab.
This marginalization does not eliminate the worsening crisis in electricity rationing, despite the return of "Electricité du Liban" to operate a thermal unit in the Zouk plant and another in the Jiyeh plant, to secure electricity for vital facilities such as the Beirut port and airport and official headquarters, etc., with only one hour of supply daily in areas, according to "Electricité du Liban" sources to "Al-Markazia." The Minister of Energy and Water in the caretaker government, Walid Fayyad, makes frequent statements and tours but emerges empty-handed except for promises to secure fuel for Lebanon's electricity as soon as possible. The fate of Iraqi fuel remains unknown, as does Egyptian gas and Jordanian electricity. As for the promised Iranian fuel, it is still under discussion.
However, the minister has not overlooked knocking on Algeria's door to supply Lebanon with fuel quantities, announcing that he received an invitation from his Algerian counterpart Mohamed Arkab to visit Algeria to discuss the file after expressing his country's desire "to support Lebanon regarding fuel." Fayyad confirmed that he would respond to the invitation "in the second or third week of next month."
These facts do not indicate that "the electrical relief" is near despite announced efforts. So what hinders it until now? The ministry follows up, but... A source in the energy ministry points out to "Al-Markazia" that "political reasons delay the importation of Egyptian gas, and the same reasons may delay the importation of Iranian oil... There are files waiting for an international green light to pass them. Therefore, the Ministry of Energy is not responsible for the delays regarding the electricity file despite its relentless efforts to secure fuel for 'Electricité du Liban' to spare the Lebanese from darkness."
The source reveals the launch of a tender through the "Public Procurement Law" website and the General Directorate of Oil to replace Iraqi black oil with any type of fuel needed by Lebanon, with the bid opening process scheduled for next week. Regarding Iranian oil, he indicates that "the file is still under discussion and follow-up; the technical team has finalized the technical aspect of the issue, and the political aspect is still under consideration by the relevant political parties." As for importing oil from Algeria, the source states: Minister Fayyad received an invitation to visit Algeria and will visit next month.
It seems that external decisions control not only political deadlines but also tighten their grip on vital economic files... The electricity file remains the most prominent example of how the outside can paralyze the country whenever it wants and pull it from the bottom whenever it wishes!
