Baku:Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi's media office has dismissed a report by Al-Akhbar newspaper, which it claims misrepresented the reasons for his decision to boycott Cabinet meetings.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, the article in question suggested that unpaid electricity bills were the primary cause of Saddi's boycott. However, the ministry clarified that the decision was based on four unresolved government obligations. These include settling public-sector arrears, implementing a variable electricity tariff, reimbursing Electricité du Liban (EDL) for electricity exemptions in South Lebanon, and financing infrastructure repairs in the region.
Saddi opposed increasing public debt for limited electricity supplies, pointing out that previous policies had cost Lebanon billions and worsened its financial crisis. Outstanding liabilities under the Iraqi fuel agreement have surpassed $1.215 billion, leading Saddi to reject further borrowing. Instead, he urged EDL to procure fuel under the agreement, with payments sourced from its own bill collections.
The ministry also referenced letters from Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) in 2025, announcing a halt in fuel oil supplies until a reliable payment mechanism is established for overdue shipments.
The statement criticized Al-Akhbar for distorting Saddi's reasons for the boycott and emphasized the need for the government to meet all four demands. Saddi's stance was reiterated during his October 6, 2026, press conference.
