Lebanon's caretaker Minister of Energy and Water Walid Fayyad stated that "we are living under exceptional circumstances," noting that "the resilient Lebanon is sacrificing in the south to ensure security stability, and the presidential vacuum complicates our tasks." During a press conference regarding the establishment of a solar power plant, he revealed that "we have been under financial siege for five years, which has blocked all investments from us," adding that "everyone is confronting with slogans and cheap populism, and in this situation, Qatar remains loyal to Lebanon and its people." Fayyad pointed out that "we owe Qatar and Total Energy for standing with Lebanon through a unique investment offer to break the financial siege, which is a solar power plant, and this offer is welcomed."
He clarified that "we are talking about one power plant, not three, with a capacity of 100 megawatts, involving a partnership contract between the public and private sectors through a long-term agreement, and it is not a gift as claimed." Fayyad emphasized that "the proposal to establish a solar power plant is not a gift, and its cost is not 'zero' as rumored," indicating that "it requires land and had reached Mikati first before receiving a second message a month ago to revive the project." He wished for "everyone to refrain from bidding against us," affirming that he is "very interested in increasing electricity supply, especially through solar energy."
