Protestors enter the South Lebanon Water Establishment on Oct. 26, 2022. (Credit: Courtesy of Muntasser Abdallah)
BEIRUT — The South Lebanon Water Establishment (SLWE) announced Wednesday that it will close its doors until Monday after demonstrators broke into the premises to protest recent water shortages in the region.
SLWE attributed the water cuts to the lack of electricity, which is necessary to power its water pumps. According to the facility, the pumps must be supplied with electricity for at least 12 hours per day to be operational.
In a statement, SLWE said the closure is a "first warning," denouncing the fact that some "parties that are well informed about the problem of electricity have incited the protesters to break into its headquarters.''
The statement also "called on political, security and judicial parties and political parties to assume their responsibilities in providing power and protecting public institutions and their employees."
Earlier Wednesday, protesters chanted slogans against the director of the facility and demanded his resignation, blaming him for the water shortages.
An employee at the facility told L'Orient-Le Jour that employees locked their offices for fear that the protesters would enter. The protesters remained in the lobby of the facility.
Employees who spoke with L'Orient Today said one of their colleagues managed to calm down the protestors, promising them that electricity would be secured for the water pumps.
Tuesday night, demonstrators blocked several roads in Saida and its suburbs to protest the water cuts.
Lebanon is struggling to keep its public institutions and infrastructure afloat amid a massive economic crisis since 2019.
Reporting contributed by Muntasser Abdallah.