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BEIRUT: Israel, which has been blockading Lebanon’s ports for three weeks, yesterday refused to allow the shipment of much-needed fuel for its power plants, Lebanese government officials said.
"Once again, Israel which has been carrying out a maritime blockade, refused Thursday the arrival of ships currently stationed in Cyprus," said an official from the Lebanese government High Relief Commission.
"(Israel) has told the UN, who acts as a communication channel, that paperwork was still missing."
Earlier in the day, the president of fuel importers said that the UN had received Israel’s agreement in principle for delivery of the shipments.
"The UN has informed us of (Israel’s) agreement in principle for the delivery of two fuel tank shipments for Lebanon’s power stations," said Bahige Abu Hamza.
But he said "there is still no authorisation for the delivery of petrol."
Two Dutch tankers are waiting off the coasts of Cyprus to carry 30,OOO tonnes of fuel and 50,000 tonnes of diesel to Lebanon, Abu Hamza said.
The diesel is for the Biddawi power station in northern Lebanon, while the fuel will be transported to the power station in Zouk, north of Beirut.
Abu Hamza said one of the two tankers was offshore Beirut when Israel launched its massive offensive on Lebanon on July 12.
Since Israeli forces bombarded power stations and imposed a blockade on the country, the state electricity company Electricite du Liban (EDL) imposed draconian rationing of power across Lebanon.
Petrol stations have also been rationing fuel, forcing vehicles to stand for hours in long queues. – AFP
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