BEIRUT, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Private electricity operator Electricite De Zahle (EDZ) said Thursday its employees will stage sit-ins if distortion of its director's reputation continues, local media reported.
EDZ President Kamil Chidiac said the sit-ins will be implemented if "Lebanese authorities continue to attack EDZ's director Assaad Nakad who succeeded in securing 24 hours of electricity for Zahle," the National News Agency reported.
Member of parliament from Bekaa Free Patriotic Movement, Michel Daher, who generates electricity for his home in Zahle from his own generators, complained about the price hikes of electricity by the EDZ.
Daher's remarks came in response to the EDZ's statement accusing Daher of misleading the public.
Nakad said Thursday that his company is operating under the law and he is ready to negotiate with the government to reach a solution.
The EDZ's employees staged a sit-in on Wednesday in support of Nakad.
The contract of EDZ, a provider which distributes and produces electricity, ends in 2018 and caretaker Energy Minister Cesar Abi Khalil said earlier that the concession granted to EDZ will not be renewed.
The EDZ currently provides 24/7 electricity to over 250,000 inhabitants in the city of Zahle and 15 other municipalities.
Abi Khalil announced Monday that EDZ's employees will move to work with another operator, Electricite Du Liban. once the EDZ's concession is over.
Lack of electricity in Lebanon has been a problem for many years, with the government being incapable of producing the needed amount of power.
Lebanese residents usually turn to private operators, which charge higher, during power outages.
The current public electricity production in Lebanon stands at 2,000 MW, while national demand goes beyond 3,300 MW in summer months.
