Nakad Promises 24-Hour Electricity, Vows Support for Lebanese Forces
1/22/2026 10:20:00 PM
Assaad Nakad, Chairman of Electricité de Zahle, announced in an interview with mtv that he will not run in the elections, stressing that the company remains his top priority. He added that if he were to become Minister of Energy, he would work to ensure a 24/7 electricity supply.
Nakad said that Gebran Bassil had “stripped” him of the electricity concession in Zahle because he doesn’t like me, noting that the company now operates under an operating contract. He added that the U.S. ambassador wants Lebanon’s problems resolved calmly, and that he met with him to present in detail the successful Electricité de Zahle model.
He also revealed that the energy minister plans to divide Lebanon into nine zones and put them out to tender, taking Zahle into account, adding that in his view, Nada Boustani and Joe Saddi were the best energy ministers.
On the political front, Nakad said he met with Samir Geagea, who expressed readiness to offer any support to Electricité de Zahle, noting that neglect affects all of Lebanon, not just Zahle. He confirmed that he will support the Lebanese Forces Party in the parliamentary elections, as he did in the municipal polls.
Nakad said that President Joseph Aoun did as much as he possibly could and took solid positions, adding that Shiites need to understand that no one is against them. He stressed that they cannot enter into a confrontation with the army and should tone down talk of a civil war, noting that no one else in Lebanon possesses weapons besides them.
He also affirmed that the army will not clash with Hezbollah, urging Christians to “get their act together,” lamenting the absence of any serious discussion about a vision for their future over the next 25 years. He said he trusts Geagea’s choices regarding parliamentary election candidates.
Asked about his priorities if appointed energy minister, Nakad said the first steps would be to crack down on illegal electricity connections, curb power theft, and enforce bill collection, in order to ensure equality among all Lebanese.
In a striking statement, he added: “I want to pray in Jerusalem before the end of this year.”
Nakad said that Gebran Bassil had “stripped” him of the electricity concession in Zahle because he doesn’t like me, noting that the company now operates under an operating contract. He added that the U.S. ambassador wants Lebanon’s problems resolved calmly, and that he met with him to present in detail the successful Electricité de Zahle model.
He also revealed that the energy minister plans to divide Lebanon into nine zones and put them out to tender, taking Zahle into account, adding that in his view, Nada Boustani and Joe Saddi were the best energy ministers.
On the political front, Nakad said he met with Samir Geagea, who expressed readiness to offer any support to Electricité de Zahle, noting that neglect affects all of Lebanon, not just Zahle. He confirmed that he will support the Lebanese Forces Party in the parliamentary elections, as he did in the municipal polls.
Nakad said that President Joseph Aoun did as much as he possibly could and took solid positions, adding that Shiites need to understand that no one is against them. He stressed that they cannot enter into a confrontation with the army and should tone down talk of a civil war, noting that no one else in Lebanon possesses weapons besides them.
He also affirmed that the army will not clash with Hezbollah, urging Christians to “get their act together,” lamenting the absence of any serious discussion about a vision for their future over the next 25 years. He said he trusts Geagea’s choices regarding parliamentary election candidates.
Asked about his priorities if appointed energy minister, Nakad said the first steps would be to crack down on illegal electricity connections, curb power theft, and enforce bill collection, in order to ensure equality among all Lebanese.
In a striking statement, he added: “I want to pray in Jerusalem before the end of this year.”