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A protester holds up a national flag during a protest in Beirut, Lebanon March 6, 2021. Reuters
Washington has expressed concern over developments in Lebanon and the apparent inaction of Lebanese leaders in the face of multiple ongoing crises.
“Lebanon’s political leaders need to put aside their partisan brinksmanship. They need to change course. They need to work for the common good, the common interests of the Lebanese people,” US State Department Spokesman Ned Price said during a press briefing in Washington on Friday.
His statement came hours after French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said time was running out to prevent Lebanon from collapsing and that he could see no sign that the country’s rival politicians were doing what they could to save it.
Friday, 12 March, 2021 - 10:00
A demonstrator stands near a burning fire blocking a road, during a protest against the fall in Lebanese pound currency and mounting economic hardships, in Zouk, Lebanon March 8, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir Asharq Al-Awsat
The International Support Group for Lebanon has called for the swift formation of a new government as it expressed concern over growing tensions in the country.
The ISG said it met in Beirut on Thursday to take stock of the situation in the country, more than seven months after the tragic explosion at the Beirut port.
It “noted the precipitating socio-economic crisis in Lebanon, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Lebanon s energy minister sounds alarm over power supply zawya.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from zawya.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BEIRUT: There will be “disastrous consequences” for Lebanon if a crucial fuel subsidy is not approved, the country’s energy minister warned on Thursday.
Lawmakers are meeting on Friday for a parliamentary session and one of the agenda items is to agree on subsidizing the national electricity company, Electricite du Liban (EDL), in order to buy fuel and provide electricity.
After meeting with President Michel Aoun on Thursday, the energy minister sounded the alarm.
“Lebanon may go into total darkness by the end of this month if the EDL is not subsidized to buy the fuel,” warned Raymond Ghajar. “This will cause disastrous consequences for various sectors, especially health and hospitalization, in light of the current epidemiological conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Global darkness will also affect food, security and public safety, as well as on the telecommunications and internet sector.”