Public Works House Commission discusses oil and Gas decrees

NNA - Public Works, Transportation, Energy and Water House Commission convened on Tuesday morning, led by its Chairman MP Mohammad Qabbani and attended by Energy and Water Minister, Cesar Abi Khalil, Telecom Minister, Jamal Jarrah, and Minister of State for Displaced Affairs Moeen Merhbi. Speaking in the wake of the meeting, MP Qabbani said that discussions majorly touched on the recently approved oil and Gas decrees by the Cabinet, and the issue of the distribution of blocks. On the chosen number of blocks, Qabbani elaborated that that this does not necessarily mean the licensing of the five set blocks, but rather choosing the best with respect to bidding and the interest of Lebanon. The Lawmaker said that the Commission shall follow up on issues related to the Gas and oil sector, bringing to attention the Commission's recommendation put forward six months ago calling for Lebanon's joining of transparency initiative related to extractive industries, that is oil and gas. Qabbani noted that the Cabinet shall speed up the joining of said initiative, saying "it is a positive start in terms of cooperation between the Commission and the Ministry." =====================