Lebanon’s electricity sector teeters on the brink of collapse Power cuts increase as country’s financial crisis hits fuel imports and payments to power plants
Protesters block a road with burning tyres, during a demonstration against power cuts in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
A demonstrator stands silhouetted between burning tyres, during a protest against power cuts in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
A protester leaps over burning tyres, during a protest against power cuts in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
A demonstrator against power cuts stands in front burning tyres in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
It is estimated that half of Lebanon s population of seven million people live below the poverty line. EPA
This picture shows a view of a building damaged by the August 4 port blast, in the Lebanese capital Beirut’s Gemayzeh neighbourhood on November 5, 2020. – Beirut’s August 4 disaster, which authorities say was caused when a huge stockpile of ammonim nitrate fertiliser caught fire years after it was impounded at the port, killed more than 200 people and damaged or destroyed around 70,000 homes. The country’s worst peace-time tragedy rendered entire districts unrecognisable. Now winter rains are adding to the destruction. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)
BEIRUT Even after decades, the international community still has not quite figured out what makes Lebanese politicians tick. Potential donors focus on economic mismanagement and political will, but gloss over the shady commercial interests that keep sectarian leaders popular.