Bassil Rules Out Any 'Compromise' on Electricity Plan
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil on Monday noted that his proposed electricity plan would benefit all Lebanese and stressed that the issue “cannot be subject to a compromise.”
“Until this day, I still don’t understand what the problem is over the electricity file. On the political level, everyone is a winner and legally and financially there are no problems,” Bassil said during a press conference he held at the ministry to discuss the plan.
“The file should be tackled by cabinet, the Energy Ministry and all the ministries concerned,” the minister added, noting that he had already answered “all the technical questions” over the draft law.
Bassil wondered “how can LL19 billion be granted to other ministries in one year while LL1700 billion is not being provided to the Energy Ministry for two years or more.”
“The government’s failure is our failure and we want it to succeed,” the minister went on to say.
“The project needs to be implemented immediately and we hope it will be passed during Wednesday’s cabinet session,” Bassil added, warning that “the government won’t survive or implement anything if it does not put the draft law into practice.”
The minister boycotted a ministerial meeting held Monday afternoon at the Grand Serail to discuss the plan. He told reporters that he “wasn’t invited.”
Ahead of the Grand Serail meeting, Premier Najib Miqati held separate talks with Bassil and Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat.
Media reports said that the Miqati-Bassil meeting was aimed at bridging differences on the electricity plan, under which $1.2 billion would be allocated to generate 700 megawatts of electricity.
The cabinet has so far failed to reach an agreement on the plan after a dispute erupted on whether the government or Bassil should supervise the spending of the $1.2 to implement the plan.
A consensus during Monday’s ministerial meeting was necessary to allow the cabinet to approve the project during its session on Wednesday. However, the meeting failed to reach any agreement.
05 September 2011, 21:07
15
It's amazing how the frog remembers he's Christian only when they don't let him embezzle public funds, he and his pappy forget they are Christians when the sectarian turbaned Zionist infested monkeys are stealing Christian positions and lands.
05 September 2011, 21:11
05
"Bassil wondered “how can LL19 billion be granted to other ministries in one year while LL1700 billion is not being provided to the Energy Ministry for two years or more.”"
Seriously?? 1700 billion is not far from 19 billion, it's only almost 90 times larger. So if he wants 1700 billion, it can be spread over 90 years and then it'll be the same as other ministries.
05 September 2011, 21:22
05
LOL at his complaint over ll19 billion being granted to other while 1700billion isn't granted to him. LOLOLOL man this guy is ridiculous
05 September 2011, 21:43
14
3 hours ago Bassil: The government’s failure is our failure and we want it to succeed. Is it possible that money be granted to funds and not the ministry? Is it acceptable that a Christian is forbidden to spend funds?
How pathetic this little dwarf is..... he says" is it acceptable that a Christian is forbidden to spend funds"..... this is the reform and change party that is promising the Lebanese paradise on earth, yet he pathetically tries to draw christian sympathy........ Booooooooooo....... try another one miracle child!
05 September 2011, 21:51
04
I wonder why this gov is rushing to empty the kazeeny so fast ...they know they don't have much time left. It's their plan to take alll the money they can and run away . They know dooms day is coming . They think no one is up to their game? How stupid
05 September 2011, 22:05
04
The money that used to come from Syria is dried up now. ASSad is struggling to survive and his non-essential spending is stopped now. Aoun and Co. now need a pool of money to steal. The paradox is that without the moey either from Syria or the electricity boondoggle the want they are becoming increasing irrelevant as a party. If they the government in protest over the electricity they will cease to exist as a party, but they will bring down the Syria/Hezz led government and a very difficult time for Assad. He could screw himself, the Hezz, and Assad is one movement if he wished. A psycho like him just might do it.
06 September 2011, 02:15
02
Make it or break it.
No compromise, no discussion no debate.
Now we understand the reason you fail to be elected.
You have learned the Israeli-Hezbollah equation: Arrogance = ignorance
Keep up the good characters.
06 September 2011, 02:53
13
This Bozo and his Traitor, Lunatic father-in-law are obviously more concerned about having full control over $1.2 Billion than in providing Electricity. They want to STEAL the money, as if they haven't stolen enough yet. Filthy Rich in few years. You and your HIZBUSTAN "Snuggle Buddies" have been Robbing us Blind for quite some time. HIZBUSTAN has been STEALING Electricity for decades and until today. Don't you and your CRAZY father-in-law think that you should be collecting from your "Best Buddies" before asking Tax Payers to pay for new PowerPlants so your "Basij Buddies" can STEAL more Free Power. And if you cannot make them pay then Power should be FREE for Everybody, "What's good for the Goose is good for the Gander".
