Lebanon Energy Minister Walid Fayad has blamed “politics and bureaucracy” for a delay to a US-backed deal to supply the country with Jordanian electricity through government-held areas of Syria.
The three governments said that 250 megawatts would begin to flow to Lebanon by March, in a deal that was widely regarded as a delivering political and financial gains for Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.
Lebanon's economy collapsed three years ago, worsening decade-long electricity shortages that have contributed to falling living standards.
Mr Fayad did not rule out the possibility that US support for the deal might have waned since Russian invaded Ukraine three months ago.
“It is politics and bureaucracy,” Mr Fayad said while attending the Mena-Europe Future Energy Dialogue at the Dead Sea in Jordan on Wednesday. “The World Bank will be providing the finances and it is putting more conditions.”
Asked whether US support for the deal has lessened Mr Fayad replied: “Everything is possible.”
Lebanon has suffered shortages of electricity since its economy began collapsing three years ago and its financial system struggled under a heavy debt load.
The World Bank indicated that it would be willing to loan Lebanon hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for the electricity imports through Syria.
Such a loan would be impossible without tacit approval from the US, which is trying to modify its sanctions policy against the Syrian government to minimise damage to local allies.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, however, has prompted Washington to become less accommodating to Moscow and its allies.
Mr Fayad expected the shortages to worsen unless Lebanon finds a financial backer to pay for fuel oil that is available as spot cargo on vessels in the Mediterranean and elsewhere.
“We could buy spot cargo but we need a deferred payment schedule,” he said. “We do not have the funding.
“We are looking for a country that could help us with payment terms.”
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From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Wednesday and the pair embraced but he failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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