Syria has cited technical problems for its decision to cut power supplies to Lebanon, which was already suffering from severe electricity rationing after the outbreak of hostilities last month, Syrian and Lebanese officials said Friday. The Syrian office for the production and transport of electricity had informed the state-run Lebanese electricity company that "it cannot ensure supplies anymore," because of technical problems with its own power grid.
There was speculation the electricity supply cut was an attempt by Damascus to pressure the Lebanese not to comply with the Israeli demand. In an interview Wednesday, Syrian President Bashar Assad warned the Lebanese government, which is dominated by anti-Syrian politicians, not to agree to the Israeli demand. |