Significance
Import-dependent Lebanon has faced acute energy shortages in recent months, reflecting poor infrastructure, unsustainable policies and a lack of hard currency. Leaders are exploring rival regional options for the supply of gas and oil products: primarily Iraq, Iran and Egypt gas via Jordan and Syria.
Impacts
Since Lebanon has no functional refinery, it would be unable to use direct crude oil imports.
Reliable provision of petrol and diesel will ultimately require a painful complete end to subsidies.
Installation of solar power is already happening rapidly through private initiatives, but its contribution will remain minor.