Political sources confirm that Arab and international support will not wait for negotiations with Israel to conclude, focusing instead on energy projects and military investments.
A senior political source said that the Arab and international push to help Lebanon is heading toward activating core projects that are not tied to developments in direct negotiations with Israel, rather than waiting for progress on a track that has stalled due to Israeli and American electoral schedules.
The source pointed to the energy file moving forward through several channels, including a revival of the Qatari gas project that President Joseph Aoun discussed with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Work is also underway on an investment project financed by Iraq worth 3,000,000,000 dollars for the electricity sector, aimed at providing electricity at a price close to 9 cents per kilowatt.
The source stressed that investments need a different investment climate from what existed in previous years, and require a change in mindset before changing laws and procedures, because opportunities may not remain open indefinitely and countries and investors are seeking clear and stable environments.
The source saw that responsibility does not fall on the outside alone, but also on the Lebanese interior, which must meet these opportunities with a unified national stance, away from internal divisions that serve only Israel.
The source confirmed progress in preparations for the Paris conference scheduled for 16 and 17 September to support the Lebanese Army, with confirmation of attendance by French President Emmanuel Macron, President Aoun, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and representatives from Arab and friendly countries. He said this attendance reflects continued international interest in Lebanon and its legitimate institutions.
