Fayyad says ball in court of US, World Bank as to energy import deal
Energy Minister Walid Fayyad noted Thursday that the World Bank has not refused to finance Lebanon’s U.S.-backed plan for importing gas and electricity from Egypt and Jordan via Syria, adding that the Bank is still studying the plan’s “political feasibility.”
“The contract with Jordan has been signed, but it needs to be ratified by Cabinet. The contract was signed and we did our duty, but the delay lies in financing,” Fayyad said.
“I don’t know the meaning of the political feasibility they are talking about, which is the excuse behind this delay, and I’m in constant contact with the World Bank’s administration, U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea and French Ambassador Anne Grillo,” the minister added.
“The ball is now in the court of the U.S. administration and the World Bank,” Fayyad went on to say.
Pointing out that he has not been officially informed of the presence of delay by the World Bank, the minister said “a meeting was held on Friday and did not lead to the anticipated positive result.”
“Like you, we are hearing that they are still studying the plan’s political feasibility,” Fayyad went on to say.
Source: Naharnet
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