Public Prosecution to investigate violation of EDL properties

The head of Électricité Du Liban's follow-up committee, Mohammad Fayad, announced on Wednesday that the protest staged by the EDL workers will not be suspended.      

Fayad added that the workers will ensure the continuation of the company’s work, which has been stalled for a while, after a "positive formula” was put forth by Interior Minister Marwan Charbel.

Fayyad explained that “everything will become clear in light of the response of Minister Charbel who will brief the cabinet on the results of negotiations with the follow-up committee.”   

In turn, Charbel confirmed that the issue of EDL workers is now subject to negotiations, warning that “nothing could be achieved under pressure.”   

LBCI learned that tense atmosphere prevailed over the meeting between Charbel and the follow-up committee, especially since the contract workers are adamant on refusing Energy Minister Gebran Bassil’s proposal to grant tenure to 700 workers. They demanded that a higher number of workers be granted tenure, promising to suspend their protest if their demands are met.  

Earlier in the day, it was reported that angry EDL contract workers stormed into the headquarters of the company in Cornish el Naher after Internal Security Forces previously denied then entry on Wednesday.

Bassil later announced that he had received a letter from Électricité Du Liban stating that the EDL workers will evacuate the company’s building adding that he has asked the Minister of Justice to prepare a lawsuit against those who breached security in the electricity company.

Representative of the EDL contract workers voiced strong words towards FPM leader Michel Aoun saying that the latter has declared a war of annihilation on the workers.

In the Bekaa and Sidon, EDL workers joined in the protest gathering in front respective branches of Electricite Du Liban. EDL contract workers also cut off roads in Tripoli, Bent Jbeil, West Bekaa, Halba-Qobayyat,  Chouf after a call for a general strike was made.

The ISF and EDL contract workers agreed that the protest remain peaceful and limited to the square of the company’s building in Corniche al-Nahr till further notice.