U.S. initiative to solve Lebanon’s electricity crisis via Egyptian gas pipeline

BERUIT — U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea telephoned Lebanese President Michel Aoun informing him of Washington’s plan to solve the electricity crisis in Lebanon by importing fuel through the Egyptian gas line via Jordan and Syria, all the way to the north of Lebanon.

Shea said negotiations are under way with the World Bank to secure financing for Egyptian gas, repair and strengthen power transmission lines, cover required maintenance of the gas pipelines.

Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Hala Zouati confirmed her country’s readiness to provide all possible means of support to Lebanon through this project, adding that King Abdullah II raised the issue during his recent visit to the United States.

Zouati said the project has recently been extensively discussed with the Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian, and American authorities, as well as the international community.