Jumblatt angers Aoun and his bloc members over energy bill

The rejection of MP Michel Aoun’s energy draft bill in the parliament by MP Walid Jumblatt and his parliamentary bloc has angered the Change and reform bloc leader and his bloc members.

MP Nabil Nicolas blamed Jumblatt for the failure of passing the bill and said what kind of alliance is this if our ally does not support us.

Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil who is aoun’s son-in-law told As Safir newspaper: “We are either an actual majority that seeks providing people with their vital needs (or we’re not), but we will not accept becoming false witnesses, therefore we won’t agree on hitting the Lebanese peoples’ interests.”

Jumblatt, National Front Struggle parliamentary bloc leader said in remarks published on Thursday that his bloc’s position on the electricity draft bill during Wednesday’s parliament session “is technical,” and has nothing to do with taking sides.

On Wednesday the majority of the parliament objected to adopting Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun’s draft bill .

The electricity project is “a very sensitive issue” that must be thoroughly discussed in the cabinet because it addresses spending a large sum of money, Jumblatt told As-Safir newspaper.

The draft bill allows Bassil, to receive $1.2 billion to implement a project for producing 700 Megawatts of electricity.

“Parliament is facing a test of either lighting Lebanon or leaving it in the dark,” Aoun told As Safir newspaper, adding “there is no reason for any team to oppose it.”

Aoun called on the Lebanese to occupy parliament “if you want electricity and I will support you.”