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Abdollahian Says Iran Willing to Solve Lebanon’s Electricity Crisis

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri receives on Friday Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian (Parliament office)
Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri receives on Friday Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian (Parliament office)
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Abdollahian Says Iran Willing to Solve Lebanon’s Electricity Crisis

Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri receives on Friday Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian (Parliament office)
Lebanese Speaker Nabih Berri receives on Friday Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian (Parliament office)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian expressed on Friday his country’s readiness to enhance economic cooperation with Lebanon and help solve its electricity crisis, also stressing that the election of a President is a Lebanese internal matter.

During his second day visit to Beirut, Abdollahian first met with Speaker Nabih Berri and discussed the current general situation and the latest political developments in Lebanon and the region, according to a statement by the Parliament presidency.

Later, Al-Manar TV, the mouthpiece of Hezbollah, said Abdollahian handed Berri an invitation from his Iranian counterpart to visit Tehran, stressing that the Iranian-Saudi ties are progressing and will positively affect the regional developments.

The Iranian FM also held talks with Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdullah Bou Habib at the ministry headquarter where the two officials held a joint press conference.

Abdollahian said Lebanese leaders possess the necessary competence and wisdom to reach an agreement and elect a president, adding that foreign actors can help to strengthen the path of dialogue in Lebanon.

He then called on Lebanese officials and political parties to speed up the election of the president and the formation of a new government.

“During the meeting with the Lebanese Foreign Minister, we expressed the full readiness of Iranian companies to solve the electricity problem in Lebanon,” the Iranian FM said.

He noted that Lebanon is an important country in the region and any country that interacts with this country will benefit from its advantages.

“Today we are in Beirut to announce that we will continue our strong support for the Lebanese government, nation and army,” Abdollahian affirmed, adding that Iran wants nothing but welfare for Lebanon.

“Lebanon is an important country in the region and any country that interacts with this country will benefit from its advantages,” he added.

Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah had met with Abdollahian and the accompanying delegation, the Lebanese party announced on Friday.

It said Nasrallah discussed with the Iranian FM the latest development in Lebanon and the region.

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1.3 Million Yemenis Depend on US Assistance

Workers load up onto the back of a truck sacks of food supplies at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah in western Yemen, April 5, 2022. (AFP)
Workers load up onto the back of a truck sacks of food supplies at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah in western Yemen, April 5, 2022. (AFP)
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1.3 Million Yemenis Depend on US Assistance

Workers load up onto the back of a truck sacks of food supplies at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah in western Yemen, April 5, 2022. (AFP)
Workers load up onto the back of a truck sacks of food supplies at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah in western Yemen, April 5, 2022. (AFP)

USAID has pledged to continue distributing aid to Yemen, including to areas controlled by the Houthi militias who have increased their campaign of arrests against staff from UN agencies and international organizations.

The agency said it has provided assistance through partners to more than 1.3 million Yemenis, amid the high level of food insecurity due to economic deterioration and diminishing livelihoods.

In a recent report, USAID said its partners continue to provide emergency food assistance, including US sourced commodities and cash vouchers to shop at local markets.

For example, one partner provided cash to nearly 6,800 host community families, and some 2,000 internally displaced families, and allocated these amounts to food purchases.

In government-controlled areas, the agency also distributed aid in Abyan, Al Dhalee and Lahj governorates through the provision of life-saving food voucher assistance complemented with nutrition-related activities.

It also offered assistance to more than 1,800 households in Houthi-controlled areas in the governorates of Jawf and Marib during April.

The agency said it provides monthly support to distribute unconditional food assistance designed to meet 80% of the average daily calorie requirement for each household member.

Also, USAID partners are providing multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA) to cover other costs - including shelter and hygiene items - throughout Yemen to support food insecurity, and improve household purchasing power, according to the report.

It said while the UN World Food Program’s (WFP) general food assistance (GFA) program remains paused in the Houthi-controlled areas, USAID partners continue to provide food assistance to support vulnerable households.

With the US government support, International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNHCR, and three NGOs provide MPCA to conflict-affected households across Yemen to meet their basic needs and reduce the use of negative coping strategies, while also supporting local markets.

USAID data also reveals that Houthi-controlled areas suffer from inadequate levels of food consumption, adding that the nationwide rate of inadequate food consumption rose from 51% in April to 58% last May.

It warned that this trend significantly worsened in the Houthis-controlled areas, where it increased by 78% year-on-year, compared to 52% in government-controlled areas.

It said the overall volume of food imports via all Yemeni seaports increased by 22% during the first five months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Deterioration of Health

USAID said that almost a decade of conflict has led Yemen to experience devastating outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, especially among children.

It said displacement, economic deterioration, low incomes and overcrowded living conditions in internally displaced persons camps, along with a burdened health system and low immunization rates, have contributed to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases.