Amid Nahhas-Charbel Clash, Cabinet Approves Installing High-Voltage Lines in Mansouriyeh
The cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal by the Energy and Water Ministry to resume the controversial installation of high-voltage electricity lines in the Metn area of Mansouriyeh-Ain Saadeh, amid a verbal clash during the session between Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas and Interior Minister Marwan Charbel.
Briefing reporters after the session, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said Premier Najib Miqati stressed the importance of “solidarity” among the cabinet members and the need to avoid any dispute.
“Is it acceptable to say that the cabinet is obstructing the projects” planned by the ministries, Daouq quoted Miqati as saying.
Meanwhile, MTV reported that “the cabinet has approved item 37 which is related to the installation of high-voltage electricity lines in Mansouriyeh.”
“Buildings adjacent to the lines will be bought by the state and the Lebanese army will escort the energy ministry teams during the installation process,” the TV network said.
Citing possible health risks posed by electromagnetic fields, residents of the Mansouriyeh-Ain Saadeh area have been strongly opposed to the installation of the high-voltage power cables near their homes.
But Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil argues that the project does not pose any health threats.
During its upcoming session on Tuesday, the cabinet will resume its discussions on the issue of electricity and the draft state budget, the information minister announced.
MTV also said the cabinet session witnessed a fierce exchange of tirades between Nahhas and Charbel during the discussion of the item on police recruitment.
“Nahhas surprised the ministers by demanding the sacking of (Internal Security Forces chief) Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, wondering why Rifi has not been penalized over the issue of the second floor of the telecom ministry building,” MTV said.
According to the TV network, Charbel responded by saying that “this thing should have been done under the tenure of (ex-interior minister Ziad) Baroud and I won’t allow its occurrence while I’m in office.”
“Charbel almost stormed out of the session, but Miqati and some ministers convinced him to change his mind,” MTV said.
In May 2011, the ISF prevented then caretaker telecom minister Nahhas, several directors at the ministry, and a technical team from entering one of the ministry’s buildings at the Adlieh area in Beirut.
At the time Nahhas described the incident as a “coup” led by the ISF.
The incident eventually led to the resignation of then caretaker interior minister Baroud, who said he had not been aware of Rifi’s actions.
Source: Naharnet
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