Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairs a cabinet meeting to discuss the budget, at the Grand Serail in Beirut, on Jan. 27, 2022 (Credit: Dalati and Nohra)
BEIRUT — After giving its approval of the electricity plan proposed by Energy Minister Walid Fayad, cabinet Wednesday launched calls for tenders for the construction of two power plants in Deir Ammar (North Lebanon) and Zahrani (South Lebanon).
Here’s what we know:
• During a press conference following the cabinet meeting, Fayad said that "this process — construction, financing and commissioning of the plants — will be spread over a long period.” He indicated that three important players would factor into the process: the "recognized" international manufacturers and equipment manufacturers who will supply the turbines and other "components" of the plant; the contractor in charge of building the plant itself, and the organization that will be in charge of managing the financing.
• Fayad also gave an estimate of the cost of the construction of the power plants saying they will be “between $500 and $600” each, deploying maximum capacities of 825 megawatts.
• During the meeting, the ministers also discussed the issue of food security in the country, which has been threatened since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "A commission responsible for monitoring food security is working at all levels to ensure wheat and essential products on the local market," said Economy Minister Amin Salam during a press conference after the meeting. “More than 50,000 tons of wheat are there,” Salam said, adding that Banque du Liban was slow to open credits to cover the import costs of importing wheat."The need for the local market is secured and shipments of wheat have arrived… As soon as BDL opens the credits, flour will be delivered to the bakeries and the [wheat] crisis we are suffering from will be resolved,” Salam added.
• Salam also said that he is coordinating with the World Bank to cover the cost of importing wheat and certain essential food products for a “period of six to eight months in order to avoid shortages.”
• At the beginning of the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Najib Mikati reportedly said that "essential progress has taken place files related to the economic recovery plan that the government wants to establish with the International Monetary Fund.”
• The prime minister also said that he has instructed Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi to schedule a meeting of the Tripoli Security Council and take the necessary measures following armed clashes that broke out in the city between rival families over the past two days.