Mikati: Electricity Dispute Technical, Not Political
As the Lebanese electricity file turned recently to a title of internal debate, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati viewed Sunday that "the electricity dispute is technical and not political."
In an interview with "New TV" channel, Mikati stressed that "the government will discuss and study the issue."
"What matters is that we provide electricity and maintain public funds," he said adding that "he will respect the government's decision on this issue."
Mikati also addressed the work of the commission tasked with looking into renting power-generating ships, clarifying that "after many meetings, it was difficult to reach a solution."
"During the commission's last meeting, I informed [the participants] that it was hard to reach a solution and that I will submit a report regarding the electricity issue to the government," the PM stated.
He further added that "in the report he submitted, he said that he was issuing a personal opinion and that other ministers had the freedom to speak their mind."
Mikati went on to confirm that "[Change and Reform Leader] General [Michel] Aoun and we are keen on the citizen and the public money and this is beyond dispute and I'm sure of that."
"Hizbullah says that the government was not its government and therefore I do not need to say anything else; what matters me is that people receives electricity at low cost," Mikati explained to "New TV".
"My concern is that Lebanon has 24-hours-a-day electricity. We are ready to sign a contract with the party which provides this for an acceptable price and for the least cost," Mikati asserted.
The PM also stressed that "the issue of electricity required a permanent solution, not a temporary one."
"What do we do if there is no electricity? We provide generators. The permanent solution is to provide generators. Is the electricity issue a nuclear matter?" Mikati wondered.
Source: NTV, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
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