Caretaker Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said Saturday that “what has been happening lately is a blinding attempt over a central issue,” noting that the extension of the power ships’ contract delayed the sustainable solution of the power sector and cost more than USD 7 billion to guarantee power through these ships, an amount that allows the construction of power plants in Lebanon.
Speaking from outside Zahrani power plant, Hassan Khalil asked: “What is the relation between what’s happening now and the proposed project regarding the so-called the ships deal?”
He added that they are staging a sit-in today outside Zahrani plant to confirm that the plant generates 480 megawatts, calling for increasing the supply of South Lebanon regions by five hours with the rest being distributed to the other regions.
“The things that were revealed in the cabinet showed the real intention behind the presence of the free ship, where decision was made contrary to what has been agreed upon,” he said, noting that this indicates that the ship will stay more than 3 months.