Conflict Incident Report

BEIRUT: Protesters blocked a vital Beirut road in front of Lebanon’s public electricity company headquarters, demanding reforms in the power sector.

A number of protesters from Progressive Socialist Party and National Liberal Party’s youth body held a demonstration in front of Electricite du Liban on Mar Mikhael Street in Beirut’s Ashrafieh neighborhood.

They denounced what they called “the continued squandering [of public funds] and corruption in the [power] sector.”

“Yes to engaging the private sector [in power generation],”one sign said.

Protesters also demanded the construction of new power plants in the country.

Lebanon often sees harsh power rationing as a result of demand that exceeds the power production. The east Lebanon town of Zahle and its suburbs are the only areas that has access to 24-hour electricity.

The local electricity country, Electricite de Zahle, is privately owned.

Earlier Friday, Energy and Water Minister Cesar Abi Khalil said that a new electricity plan will provide Lebanon with seven additional hours of electricity, promising supplies could increase to 21 hours a day in May.

He also said that his ministry was seeking partnership with the private sector.