Lebanese Hezbollah supporters protest electricity outage

Dec 10, 2007, 17:40 GMT

Beirut - Lebanon's ongoing power outages on Monday sparked protests in Beirut's southern suburbs, which is mostly inhabited by Hezbollah followers and where daily rolling power outages have reached up to 20 hours in some areas.

The protestors burned tyres and blocked roads leading to the capital's southern suburbs, calling on the leaders to stop 'the political bickering and help the people of Lebanon.'

'The residents have taken the streets to express their indignation and outrage at the authority's practices and unfair distribution of electricity,' a young man in Mushrafiyeh said.

The protestors were chanting slogans denouncing the western-backed government of Premier Fouad Seniora and some figures from the anti- Syrian majority and called for electricity to their areas to be restored.

Lebanon's state-run power company Electricite Du Liban (EDL) has been a cause of concern for many Lebanese citizens due to its poor service and financial losses. EDL constitutes a major problem for the state as well, having contributed significantly to Lebanon's national deficit.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that in 2005, government support for EDL amounted to 4 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP).

At present, frequent power cuts remain the norm in Lebanon. The country's generating capacity has fallen behind demand levels; EDL's current output is around 1,250 megawatt, while peak demand often hits 1,800 MW. EDL also lost 500 million dollars last year amid allegations of corruption.

Privatizing EDL has been on the state agenda for years, but has been held up for political reasons.

According to official sources, almost 60 per cent of EDL bills are not collected. In addition, close to 50 per cent of electricity generated by EDL is not even billed; it is estimated that tens of thousands of people receive free electricity by illegally tapping into power lines.

In the southern suburbs of Beirut - a stronghold of Hezbollah - over 80 per cent of electricity consumers do not pay. Those who do not enjoy such political protection, on the other hand, are forced to pay heavily for electricity.