Lebanese Cabinet meets to discuss key appointments and electricity crisis

The Lebanese Cabinet met at Baabda Palace, chaired by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, to discuss several key appointments and administrative issues. A consensus is expected regarding the five-year extension of Bassam Badran’s term as President of the Lebanese University, alongside the appointment of Pauline Deeb as Director General of the Ministry of Labor.

Discussions also touched upon the potential decision to maintain daylight saving time instead of transitioning to winter time. In the telecommunications sector, the Minister of Telecommunications reported on the inventory of ministry assets, including Ogero, which will transition to Liban Telecom, while rejecting the sale of Alfa and Touch assets under current conditions.

The session was marked by the absence of Energy and Water Minister Jo الصدي (Sadi), who has been boycotting cabinet meetings. While efforts were made by the President and Prime Minister to resolve his boycott, the minister’s absence complicates discussions regarding the appointment of a Director General for Investment. The electricity crisis remains a central issue, with the Prime Minister and Energy Minister discussing practical steps to gradually increase power supply, though disagreements persist between government officials regarding the availability of funds to address the crisis.