Egypt and Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to supply the Deir Ammar power plant with Egyptian natural gas, a move intended to increase electricity generation capacity for Lebanese citizens.
The agreement was signed at the Lebanese government headquarters in Beirut by Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi and Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water Joe Sadi, in the presence of Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Badawi stated that the MoU reinforces Egypt’s role as a regional hub for gas trade and its commitment to supporting the energy security of Arab nations through its advanced production and export infrastructure.
Following the signing, Badawi was received by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Palace. Aoun expressed his gratitude for Egypt’s consistent response to Lebanon’s needs, describing the MoU as a “practical and essential step” that will enable the country to increase its power output. He also conveyed his greetings to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, wishing Egypt continued progress in the new year.
Badawi emphasised that energy and gas cooperation is a top priority for both countries. He confirmed that Egypt would provide full support to Lebanon’s gas sector by transferring expertise in the exploration, extraction, transport, and distribution of gas to power plants, industrial sectors, and homes.
“Joint working groups have been formed between the petroleum and energy ministries of both countries to coordinate the transfer of Egyptian expertise in this sector,” Badawi said.
The minister added that the agreement builds upon the results of a recent visit to Lebanon by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.
The meetings and signing ceremony were attended by the Egyptian Ambassador to Beirut Alaa Moussa, the Executive Managing Director of the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) Mahmoud Abdel Hamid, and Mohamed el-Bagoury, who oversees legal affairs at the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
