In a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati in Cairo, Madbouly vowed to study a Lebanese proposal to set up long-term power linkage ventures between the two countries, a cabinet statement said.
As part of a previously agreed upon roadmap to ease Lebanon’s crippling crisis, Egypt said in October it will export gas to Lebanon soon through Syria and Jordan.
This came amid Lebanon’s energy crisis, after its two main power plants — which had been generating 40 percent of the country’s energy — were shut down earlier this year due to fuel shortages.
As per the agreement with Cairo, Egyptian gas will be transported via Jordan and Syria to northern Lebanon to activate gas-operated power plants that have been non-functional for 11 years.
The gas imports were due to have been started, but the process was delayed for six weeks due to needed repairs to the pipeline that connects the Syrian-Lebanese borders, PM Mikati told Egyptian state News Agency MENA on Friday.
The Lebanese premier said he reviewed with Madbouly cooperation, especially means of boosting gas imports and power linkages between Egypt and Lebanon, in addition to facilitating trade exchange movement, particularly of Lebanese agricultural products.
Mikati also asked for supplies of foodstuffs and medicines for chronic diseases, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian cabinet.
Madbouly also stressed El-Sisi's instructions to extend all forms of support to the Lebanese government, noting that the Egyptian government will meet Lebanon's demand for all required materials.
Mikati, who arrived in the Egyptian capital earlier today, held a meeting with the Egyptian president and is set to meet Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Abu El-Gheit.