Mikati: Egyptian President Orders Urgent Gas Supply To Lebanon

Arab World

January 11th, 6:36am

Sharm el-Sheikh - Abdel-Fattah Faraj

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi holds talks with Lebanese PM Najib Mikati in Sharm el-Sheikh (NNA)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi expressed on Monday his country’s eagerness to supply Lebanon with gas in accordance with the signed treaties between the two countries. This came after talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati at Sisi’s residence in Sharm Al-Sheikh, following the inaugural session of the World Youth Forum hosted by Egypt. During their meeting, Sisi emphasized “total solidarity with Lebanon amid the crisis that the country is passing through.” He expressed “Egypt’s readiness to supply Lebanon with gas as per the signed agreements.” Lebanon is grappling with a crippling economic and fuel crisis and has struggled with meager supplies of state-generated power for months. On Monday, Sisi gave his directives to facilitate the supply of gas for Lebanon and expedite the implementation of the signed treaties between the two sides, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said. Sisi also affirmed full solidarity with Lebanon, especially in the stifling circumstances it is going through. For his part, the Lebanese PM hailed Egypt's support for Lebanon. This is Mikati’s second visit to Egypt in a month. Last December, the PM visited Cairo where he held talks with the Egyptian President on bilateral relations. The meeting between the two men also dealt with the latest developments in the Lebanese arena and the means to develop relations between the two countries. Sisi had then expressed Egypt's keenness on the security and stability of Lebanon, staving off more conflicts in the region and helping the Lebanese people maintain unity and protect the national fabric of their country. Under an agreement announced late last year, Egypt will supply natural gas to Lebanon via a pipeline that passes through Jordan and Syria to help boost Lebanon’s electricity output. The deal, agreed by all four countries, is part of a US-backed plan to address Lebanon’s power shortages.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3407381/mikati-egyptian-president-orders-urgent-gas-supply-lebanon