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Left in the dark Technical problems, industrial disputes and political brinkmanship have left most of Lebanon without electricity for abnormally extended periods of time on a daily basis. Around 2,500 contract workers and bill collectors at the nation’s sole power provider, Électricité du Liban (EDL), entered into their third month of strikes as they demand permanent employment with the company.  Minister of Energy and Water Gebran Bassil has staunchly refused their demands and opposes the bill passed last month granting the workers permanent employment. The bill was awaiting approval of the parliament’s secretariat at the time of Executive going to print. Meanwhile, the ministry signed a $360 million three-year contract to lease two power-generating ships from the Turkish company Karkey Karadeniz Elektrik Uretim. The first ship is expected to arrive in four months and the second within six months and combined they should provide Lebanon with 270 megawatts of electricity.