Starved of Electricity, Lebanon Picks Dubai's ENOC to Swap Iraqi Fuel

Facade of Lebanon's electricity company in Beirut, Lebanon March 26, 2019. Picture taken March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Facade of Lebanon's electricity company in Beirut, Lebanon March 26, 2019. Picture taken March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
TT

Starved of Electricity, Lebanon Picks Dubai's ENOC to Swap Iraqi Fuel

Facade of Lebanon's electricity company in Beirut, Lebanon March 26, 2019. Picture taken March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Facade of Lebanon's electricity company in Beirut, Lebanon March 26, 2019. Picture taken March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Lebanon's energy ministry said it had picked Dubai's ENOC in a tender to swap 84,000 tons of Iraqi high sulphur fuel oil with 30,000 tons of Grade B fuel oil and 33,000 tons of gasoil.

ENOC won the tender, part of a deal between the two countries that allows the cash-strapped Lebanese government to pay for 1 million tons of Iraqi heavy fuel oil a year in goods and services, reported Reuters.

As Lebanon suffers what the World Bank has described as one of the deepest depressions of modern history, shortages of fuel this month have meant state-powered electricity has been available for barely a few hours a day if at all.

Residents turning to private generators for their power supply face diesel shortages.

The swap tenders are essential as Iraqi fuel is unsuitable for Lebanese electricity generation.

Lebanese caretaker Energy Minister Raymond Ghajar said in July the fuel from the Iraqi deal would be used for electricity generation by the state provider and was enough for around four Months.

ENOC is set to receive the Iraq fuel between Sept. 3-5 and will deliver it to Lebanon two weeks after, the energy ministry said.



Grundberg Urges Houthis to Prioritize Interests of Yemeni People

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN
TT

Grundberg Urges Houthis to Prioritize Interests of Yemeni People

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg has urged Yemen’s Houthi militias to prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people and called for the unconditional release of detained UN personnel.

Grundberg concluded a visit to Muscat, where he held meetings with senior Omani officials, his office said in a statement on Wednesday.

During the meetings, Grundberg expressed appreciation for the Omani role in advancing UN efforts toward peace and stability in Yemen.

Grundberg also met with Mohammed Abdulsalam, chief negotiator and spokesperson of the Houthis, emphasizing the urgent need for broader de-escalation across Yemen.

“The Special Envoy stressed the importance of prioritizing the interests of the Yemeni people and called for constructive dialogue,” said the statement.

Throughout all his meetings, the Special Envoy reiterated the UN chief’s “urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of detained UN personnel,” it added.

Last week, the Special Envoy met with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber in Riyadh.

The talks focused on de-escalation efforts in Yemen amid regional tensions.

Grundberg also met with the P5 members of the UN Security Council. He underscored the critical need for a unified approach to support efforts toward a political process and a ceasefire in Yemen.

The Special Envoy emphasized the importance of sustained advocacy for releasing detained UN personnel.