US ‘very concerned’ about Lebanon energy crisis

US ‘very concerned’ about Lebanon energy crisis

The US is “very concerned” about Lebanon’s energy crisis and supports a plan to increase electricity in the crisis-struck country, a senior State Department official said, noting that none of the planned projects would support rehabilitating the Assad regime.

Under a World Bank proposal, backed by the United States, two plans would see Egypt and Jordan sell natural gas and electricity to Lebanon via Syria.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

But the deal would require transit fees being paid to the Assad regime, which has had crippling Caesar Act sanctions prevent foreign countries and companies from dealing with the Syrian government as a result of its war crimes.

The deal was first reported by Al Arabiya English last summer and later confirmed by the US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea.

It also comes when multiple Arab countries are reestablishing contact with the Syrian government, including a trip by the UAE’s foreign minister to Damascus and Bahrain’s appointment of an ambassador to Syria for the first time in ten years.

Asked about potential sanctions waivers or the ability for the deal to bolster Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the US official said no Caesar Act sanctions would be lifted