Miqati Says Bassil 'Most Competent Minister', Denies Rift with Safadi
Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Thursday described Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil as the “most competent minister” in his government, denying the presence of a dispute with Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi, his main ally in the 2009 parliamentary elections.
“I’m a man of compromises and I propose compromises in a positive spirit,” Miqati said in an interview on LBC, in reference to the latest controversy over the issue of leasing power-generating vessels.
“I want to turn my government from a ‘government of darkness’ into a ‘government of light’ and I complicated things in order to reach the desired result. When things deteriorated into a crisis, I raised my voice. I said we must have 24/24 power feed while keeping in mind the financial situation, as any wrong step will lead us to mistakes,” the premier explained.
He said he told cabinet that $875 million was a “hefty amount of money for renting vessels for a period of five years.”
“I said a period of five years was inappropriate for the proposed lease agreement, so we approved a two-year plan that is renewable for one year and reduced the quantity from 360 megawatts to 270 megawatts.”
Miqati said he wanted a new invitation for tenders “in order for it to be transparent and at an international level.”
He revealed that “all the ministers voiced reservations over the price” that was initially proposed by Bassil.
The premier noted that his efforts “slashed the price by $400 million, which would allow us to build the power plants.”
Asked about Bassil’s remarks that his camp had triumphed in the standoff over the issue of electricity, Miqati said: “I will not be dragged into a debate and the objective is clear: providing electricity at the desired price.”
And he denied “obstructing the plans of (Free Patriotic Movement leader) General (Michel) Aoun’s ministers.”
“I totally respect him, but I deal with any subject according to the norms,” Miqati clarified.
“I will give all the credit for the achievements (in the electricity plan) to Minister Bassil because I care about the success of my government and I believe that he is the most competent minister and I will facilitate all his work,” he stressed.
Asked about the Iranian proposal to provide Lebanon with electricity, Miqati said: “We give consideration to all proposals and we’re ready to evaluate every proposal.”
He denied the presence of a “political decision” to reject Tehran’s proposal.
“We will see how the issue can take place legally, so that we don’t expose ourselves to sanctions,” Miqati added, referring to the international sanctions imposed on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.
On the relation with his ally, Finance Minister Safadi, Miqati said: “I stress that there is no dispute with Safadi and I stress in my name and in his name that we are more strongly allied than ever and tell those betting on a dispute that we will not abandon each other.”
Source: Naharnet
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