Nada Boustany to Joe Saddi: Don't evade confrontation—open all the files, from steamships to dams and more
Former Minister of Energy and MP Nada Boustany responded to recent remarks made by current Energy Minister Joe Saddi, stating the following:
First, it took you four months just to receive your files, and yet you claim that no power plant has been operational since 2010. Please update your information: the new Zouk and Jiyeh plants were added to the grid in 2017, and they are currently the most cost-efficient in operation.
Second, instead of sidestepping confrontation, open all the files—from steamships to dams and beyond. You should have addressed the real cost burden on Lebanese citizens from private generators and compared that to the cost of steamships. If you're interested in reviewing the numbers, we're ready to share the detailed files.
Third, were you unaware that the IFC and World Bank were the ones who prepared the term sheet? Your comment about needing them to 'accompany the tender' falls flat, especially considering that the BOT term sheets have been ready for some time now.
Your Excellency, if you wish to speak about your accomplishments in public, at least base them on facts. In short, we heard nothing new, just the same old political rhetoric.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Nahar Net
9 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Report: Lebanon urges Israeli pullout in return for Hezbollah arms handover declaration
by Naharnet Newsdesk 29 June 2025, 13:38 The Lebanese response to U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's paper is based on the 'step-for-step' principle, 'contrary to the U.S. envoy's paper which calls on the Lebanese side to be handed over Hezbollah's arms as a gateway for U.S. pressure on Israel to withdraw from the South,' Lebanese officials told Al-Jadeed TV. 'The Lebanese amendments include a proposal for synchronous steps by the two sides, starting by the Lebanese government's declaration that Hezbollah's arms will be handed over and followed by a gradual Israeli withdrawal from some border points, after which the process of handing over weapons in the North Litani area would begin, as a third phase synchronized with full Israeli withdrawal,' the sources added. The visitors of Ain el-Tineh and the Grand Serail meanwhile told Al-Jadeed that Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam were 'relieved' after their meeting on Saturday. 'Berri assumed the responsibility of relaying the format to Hezbollah to obtain its official stance on it within the next two days,' the visitors said.
Nahar Net
9 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Qassem says Hezbollah 'capable of confronting Israelis'
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a Ashoura commemorations televised speech overnight that the "ongoing aggression" by Israel "must not be allowed to continue." "The (Lebanese) state must exert pressure, and it must fulfill all of its duties," he said, insisting Hezbollah had held up its end of the ceasefire bargain. "Do you imagine we will remain silent forever? No. Everything has its limits," he warned. He added that Hezbollah is 'capable of confronting the Israelis' if needed and that it 'can win' through performing 'its duty, praying to God and depending on God.' God 'will send us his angels' to support us on the battlefield, Qassem went on to say. Stressing that Hezbollah should not hand over its weapons before Israel implements its part of the ceasefire agreement, Qassem warned: "Let no one mess with us, let no one play with us and let no one say that they are capable of subjugating us."
Ya Libnan
18 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
Argentina to try 10 Iranians and Hezbollah official in absentia for deadly 1994 Jewish center bombing
By Lucila Sigal People hold images of the victims of the 1994 bombing attack on the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) community centre, marking the 30th anniversary of the attack, in Buenos Aires, Argentina July 18, 2024. REUTERS/Irina Dambrauskas/File Photo An Argentine judge on Thursday ordered that the 10 people accused of the deadliest bombing in the country's history face a trial in absentia, three decades after the attack on a Jewish community center that killed 85 people and wounded more than 150. Argentine authorities have charged 10 people as perpetrators of the 1994 attack on the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires – including former Iranian government officials and others whom it says are members of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Those accused include Iran's former intelligence minister Ali Fallahian, former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati, former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaee, former ambassador to Argentina Hadi Soleimanpour and other embassy staff. Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tehran has previously denied involvement and refused to turn over suspects. People of Lebanese and Colombian nationality accused of being tied to Hezbollah are also among those accused. The country's judiciary considers all defendants to be fugitives from the law, many since 2003. It argues the attack was carried out by Hezbollah with the backing of the Iranian government. Judge Daniel Rafecas ordered the measure on the basis of a law that was passed in February this year that allows long-term fugitives to face trial in absentia. Argentina is home to Latin America's largest Jewish community. President Javier Milei has been diplomatically supportive of the governments of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whose long-standing feuds with Iran dramatically escalated this month. A similar attack against the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992 killed 22 people. Reuters
