Qatar's Electricity Offer Nears Decision

Negotiations and studies on Qatar's offer for Lebanon's electricity sector are accelerating, with signs that the project is taking shape despite secrecy surrounding meetings and shuttle visits between Energy Minister Joe Saddi, EDL chairman Nassib Nasr and the Qatari technical team. Informed sources say talks are advancing seriously toward completing technical and financial details ahead of an agreement with direct Qatari political support, based on turning the project from a commercial investment into a state-to-state agreement with a financial and political guarantee, not a free grant. Technically, the solution is phased from using the Arab Gas Pipeline in existing plants to building new gas plants and LNG facilities, with focus on improving collection, addressing losses and public arrears, before a political decision and signing.