With electricity deal stalled, Jordanian, Lebanese prime ministers reaffirm their good intentions

BEIRUT — Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh said Thursday that his country “supports Lebanon [in its efforts] to face obstacles and reinforce its stability,” during a meeting with caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, in Amman.

Here’s what we know:

  • Khasawneh said Jordan “cares about solid relations between the two countries and strengthening bilateral cooperation in all sectors to serve the common interests of the two countries and their people.” For his part, Mikati welcomed King Abdullah II’s support for Lebanon and assured his counterpart that he is “overseeing the reinforcement of bilateral relations with Amman in all sectors.”

  • The exchange occurred after caretaker Energy Minister Walid Fayyad, also in Amman, said Wednesday that the adoption of a World Bank-financed, US-backed plan to supply Lebanon with electricity from Jordan through Syria was delayed for “political reasons.” Different procedures were undertaken to ensure the implementation of the project, along with the importation of natural gas from Egypt, but it awaits World Bank approval.

  • United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf said Thursday that “the energy sector in Lebanon is on the brink of collapse,” adding that “the king of Jordan is … most worried about an eventual collapse in Lebanon and wants to do all he can to avoid it.”