Political feud behind Lebanon power outage

A political dispute was the cause of Lebanon's nationwide power outages over the weekend, a politically connected source said.

The inside source, wishing to remain anonymous, told Al-Akhbar that the power outage was the result of a feud between Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader Michel Aoun.

Workers at the Zahrani power plant went on strike on the weekend, causing massive disruptions to Lebanon's electric power supply.

Power was cut for up to 12 hours a day in the nation's capital, Beirut, while worse effects were felt throughout the country.

Energy Minister Gebran Bassil lashed the perpetrators for what he termed a “sabotage” to Lebanon's public facilities.

“Not even during the war was the power cut on purpose,” Bassil told a press conference on Monday.

“Electricity should not be a means to address political messages.”

Bassil is Aoun’s son-in-law and a senior member of the FPM.

The source told Al-Akhbar that Berri wanted to “teach two lessons” to the FPM regarding Lebanon's offshore oil and gas deposits, and the pilot protests at the Middle East Airlines (MEA).

Berri, head of the Amal movement, is allegedly seeking inclusion in any contract Bassil awards to companies for exploration and development of Lebanon's offshore reserves, the source said.

According to the source, the Amal leader also objected to the MEA pilot strike, and sympathized with MEA chief Mohammed al-Hout.

The strategy was to increase pressure on Aoun in order to convince MEA pilots – many of whom are FPM supporters – to end their protests, the source added.

The MEA pilots ended their protests Sunday evening. Shortly after, the Zahrani power plant resumed full operation.

The head of the Zahrani power plant labour union Jihad Akoush disputed this account, however, and denied the strike was politically motivated.

Akoush said the “constant harassment” the workers have been subject to in the last four months was the reason for the strike.

The union chief also argued that the personal security of workers has been undermined, without clarifying how.

Management ignored a letter of appeal by the workers about the situation sent on November 14, Akoush added.

Amal officials have denied the allegations levied against them.

(Al-Akhbar)