Lebanon's state electricity company (EDL) announced on Saturday that it could no longer supply power after its last operational power plant exhausted its fuel reserves.
The company said the situation would affect “essential facilities such as the airport, port, water pumps, sewage systems, and prisons.” It also noted that from noon on Saturday, it “resulted in a total power cut” of state electricity across Lebanon.
Soon after, the south Lebanon Water Corporation urged people “to save water as much as possible” because the blackout would have a “significant impact on its ability to pump water in sufficient quantities”.
State electricity blackouts because of fuel shortages are common in a country that is heavily reliant on generators for power.
However, this cut comes amid growing fears of an all-out war between Hezbollah and Israel, who have been engaged in daily cross-border clashes since October 8, parallel to the war in Gaza.
When the two sides last fought a war in 2006, Lebanese fuel storage tanks were among those to be attacked by Israel. Along with Israel blockading the Lebanese coast, it led to the near exhaustion of fuel supplies.
State electricity in Lebanon is available for a maximum of around four hours a day. Those who can afford it rely on expensive diesel-powered private generators to fill the gap, although very few provide power for 24 hours.
Lebanon has long struggled to provide enough power to its people, but the problem has been exacerbated by an economic crisis that began in 2019. Lebanon, which has few natural resources, imports heavy fuel oil from Iraq under a swap deal signed in 2021.
As the heavy fuel supplied by Iraq does not meet Lebanon’s fuel specifications, the deal allows Beirut to swap it on the international market – through traders who make a profit – for other types of oil suitable for its power plants.
However, payment issues from Lebanon to Iraq have caused problems. Although the Lebanese cabinet approved a series of measures on Wednesday to help alleviate the issue, the benefits did not come in time – with the next Iraq fuel delivery not expected until the end of August.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
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Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
