Lebanon Ministry of Energy defends Minister Saddi against criticism

Lebanon’s Ministry of Energy and Water issued a statement refuting an article by journalist Azza al-Hajj Hassan regarding the country’s electricity crisis. The Ministry described the article as “unjust to the truth” and criticized the comparison between the current administration and previous energy ministers.

The Ministry defended current Minister Joe Saddi, arguing that he has managed the sector for only 1.5 years during a period of open war, national bankruptcy, and a struggling banking sector. This stands in contrast to the previous 16 years of management during periods of security stability and available investment.

The statement also addressed the ongoing forensic audit regarding energy tankers, questioning the logic of linking the lack of electricity to the necessity of the audit. The Ministry highlighted a seven-track vision currently being implemented to address the sector, including gas importation, electrical interconnection, and the activation of solar energy farms through the newly formed electricity sector regulatory authority.