The Council of Ministers held a meeting at Baabda Presidential Palace headed by President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, who promised the Lebanese to provide them with electricity regardless of the means.
"We are 40 days away from elections, and we hope that adequate preparations have been made for elections to be held as planned," Aoun said, stepping up calls for "raising awareness campaigns for citizens on how to vote, especially as a number of citizens are still asking about this subject."
Aoun went on to explain that post May 20, 2018, and with the beginning of the new parliament's mandate, the government would be deemed resigned according to Article 69 of the Lebanese Constitution.
"The Cabinet will perform caretaking tasks, so ministers should swiftly resolve citizens' urgent affairs in all regions, regardless of the political or electoral background," Aoun said.
The President of the Republic also briefed the Council of Ministers on the visit of Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, and highlighted the points that he had raised with him, especially with regard to Syrian refugee affairs and their implications on the country's economic, security and social situation. The President called as well for the gradual return of the displaced to the safe zones in Syria.
Touching on the electricity dossier, Aoun pointed out that he had previously presented to the Council of Ministers a study on the deficit caused by the electricity crisis.
"I have asked for practical solutions and proposals, but till today, I have not received an answer from anyone," Aoun maintained.
"We are well-aware that the establishment of electricity plants is the permanent solution, but pending the construction of plants, how do we provide electricity but through temporary solutions?" the President wondered.
In turn, Prime Minister Saad Hariri regretted that the government has not made any tangible progress with regard to the electricity dossier yet.
"Several studies have been made on the production of electricity, as well as temporary solutions pending the completion of power plants, but these studies have not been adopted, and we are still looking for solutions," Hariri said.
"These solutions are possible, but they require a decision that alleviates the suffering of citizens," Hariri added, noting that the owners of power generators have been the prime beneficiaries of the electricity crisis at the time that that electricity revenues should benefit the treasury of the state.
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