A report on the Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya entitled “They stole money and armed themselves – Lebanese criticize Hezbollah after power outage” summed up the public mood. Lebanese like Kinda Al-Khatib identified Hezbollah’s long-standing control of the Ministry of Energy since 2005 as the main cause of the crisis.
The 2021 Alma Center article details how the Yamin brothers, prominent figures in Lebanon, use their company LIQUIGROUP to promote Hezbollah’s interests in the energy market. Their activities reportedly include smuggling fuel to Syria and evading international sanctions, with companies such as “Liquigas” and “Coral” facilitating these activities despite being sanctioned by the US.
Both companies are involved in transporting fuel from Al-Amana gas stations, which are under US sanctions due to their links to Hezbollah. These activities, concentrated in Shiite regions of Lebanon, suggest that Coral acts as a commercial front for Al-Amana. In May 2020, these companies were accused of exploiting the Lebanese population, laundering money, and building a cartel-like structure – all with the tacit approval of successive Lebanese governments. This revelation underscores the deep-rooted corruption in the Lebanese energy sector that serves Hezbollah’s interests.
Recently, the Lebanese Electricity Company announced a nationwide power outage, citing an oil shortage as the cause. “After exhausting all alternatives to increase energy production, the last power plant was shut down due to oil shortages, disrupting electricity supply throughout Lebanon,” the company reported.
This blackout not only affects the Lebanese population, but also critical infrastructure such as airports, ports, water systems, sanitation facilities and prisons. The Lebanese electricity company has pledged to keep the public informed, but the duration of this crisis is uncertain.
Although the power outage is indeed widespread and is being felt in every aspect of Lebanese life, such disruptions are a daily occurrence in Lebanon. Residents usually have electricity for only a few hours a day and rely heavily on generators. The director of Beirut Airport, for example, confirmed that operations are continuing with generators and expressed hope for a speedy solution. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Water Authority has urged users to conserve water.
