Lebanese-Syrian Council Secretary-General Nasri Khuri confirmed today (Saturday) that Syria has agreed to a Lebanese demand for assistance in passing Egyptian gas and Jordanian electricity through its territory. And the Lebanese delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xena Aker.
Both sides also agreed to monitor the technical steps of a joint team of countries.
The talks were attended by the Syrian finance and oil ministers, the head of the Planning and Cooperation Authority and the Syrian ambassador to Lebanon.
The parties discussed the difficult situation facing Syria and Lebanon, especially in the field of electricity and gas, as well as Lebanon's request regarding the transfer of Egyptian gas and Jordanian electricity to pass through the Syrian territories.
The said request was accepted.
Meanwhile, the British newspaper The Guardian reported that the first Iranian fuel tanker was seen anchored in the Red Sea during a trip to Syria 'where it is expected to pose a challenge to US sanctions against Iran and Syria.
The tanker is expected to arrive in the city port of Banias earlier this week.
It is estimated that two more tankers are a few days away from the first tanker.
Against this background, Senator Chris Murphy of the Democratic Party visited Lebanon on Thursday and hinted that the transfer of gas to Lebanon from Egypt via Jordan and Syria would benefit from an exemption from US sanctions.
"My hope is that we can find a way to do that that does not involve any American sanctions," Murphy told reporters, "We are working hard to find a solution to the gas crisis."
But another State Department official quoted by the Guardian was less enthusiastic.
"By and large, fuel from a country subject to widespread sanctions such as Iran is not a viable solution to the energy crisis in Lebanon," the source said.
He said Lebanon did not need Iranian fuel.
"On the day Hassan Nasrallah announced a plan to import Iranian fuel, there were two fuel-filled tankers moored outside Beirut. They were there for more than a week while Lebanese leaders argued over the exchange rate to be used to import the cargo already bought."
"The United States government supports efforts to find creative energy solutions for Lebanon. This is what the Lebanese people need - no more Hezbollah publicity stunt," the source added.
