Siniora responds to Aoun’s criticism over energy bill

Former Lebanese PM and current Future Movement parliamentary bloc leader MP Fouad Siniora said on Wednesday that the draft bill proposed by Change and Reform parliamentary bloc leader MP Michel Aoun “should have been complemented with a clear project that shows how it will use the available funding, instead of resorting to borrowing through the Lebanese treasury.”

Parliament failed on Wednesday to approve a draft law on electricity that was suggested by Aoun.

The draft law allows Energy Minister Gebran 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.”

Siniora described March 8 statements blaming previous governments for the energy crisis as “demagogic,” adding, “We must take a look at the names of previous energy ministers and the parties they belong to.”