Report: Energy minister seriously thinking of resignation

Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi has seriously started to consider resigning from the government because the cabinet majority is “dumping the crisis on him and does not want to pursue a genuine, effective solution” for the electricity file, informed sources said.

Asked by MTV about the possibility of Saddi’s resignation, MP Melhem Riachi of the Lebanese Forces said: "If they continue to obstruct his simple requests and do not do what he wants, then yes, he will not remain in the government."

MTV reported that Saddi had been promised that the government would establish a clear mechanism for scheduling and paying state institutions' dues to Electricité du Liban (EDL), amounting to $250 million.

“This would allow for an increase in supply hours, in addition to approving a dynamic tariff that contributes to higher collections, extra supply, and fewer generator subscription hours -- thereby saving citizens generator costs,” MTV said.

However, according to informed sources and contrary to these promises, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam asked Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber to prepare a draft law for an additional credit of $50 million, at a time when EDL needs $250 million -- a process that requires about a month to be passed in parliament, MTV added.

Stopping short of resignation, Saddi had on Tuesday announced his boycott of Cabinet sessions until the government takes the “needed decisions” in the electricity file.