US considering support for Lebanon’s electricity sector, sources say

The US administration is studying ways to help Lebanon address its decades-old electricity crisis, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the talks. The matter was raised during Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s visit to the White House last month, where the US agreed to assess where it could provide support. One source stated that after President Aoun’s meeting with President Donald Trump, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright personally took on the file for review. This is considered a significant step given the vested interests that have benefited from Lebanon’s dysfunctional electricity sector, including private generator operators and Hezbollah-linked actors. A White House official, while not directly confirming or denying the review, stated that the US is actively engaging with various sectors in Lebanon to support a future free from Hezbollah influence and corruption. Beyond electricity, discussions are also underway regarding the potential revival of an Iraqi oil transit route through Lebanon. Energy analyst Marc Ayoub noted that any US assistance would likely be conditional on structural reforms, including banking sector changes and increased transparency. Lebanon recently launched a reform plan aimed at restructuring Electricite du Liban (EDL), which experts view as a positive step toward building trust with the international community.