Egypt has taken a new step to support Lebanon’s weak energy system. Both countries signed a new Arab Gas Pipeline Deal on Wednesday. The deal focuses on fixing and improving Lebanon’s gas pipelines and related energy systems. This move aims to help Lebanon deal with its ongoing energy crisis. The agreement also shows stronger energy ties between the two countries.
The signing took place in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended the event. He said the deal is part of Egypt’s long-term support for Lebanon. He added that Egypt wants to help Lebanon stably rebuild its energy sector. He also said the Arab Gas Pipeline Deal came after earlier talks during his visit to Beirut last year.
Egypt’s Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi and Lebanon’s Energy Minister Joe Saddi signed the agreement. Both sides agreed to work together on fixing damaged gas infrastructure in Lebanon. They also agreed to improve technical support and energy planning. Officials said this step will help Lebanon get a more reliable energy supply in the future.
After the signing, both ministers held a meeting to discuss more energy projects. They talked about expanding cooperation in oil and natural gas. Egypt said it is ready to share its experience in energy management. Lebanon welcomed this support, as it faces major power shortages and fuel problems.
The Arab Gas Pipeline Deal is also linked to a wider regional plan. Just two days before the agreement, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon announced a plan to restart regional gas cooperation. This plan focuses on using the Arab Gas Pipeline to move energy across countries. It aims to improve energy access in the Levant region.
Under this regional plan, Jordan will play an important role. It will use its facilities to import liquefied natural gas. Then it will convert it into regular natural gas. After that, the gas will be sent through pipelines to Syria and Lebanon. This system is designed to make energy flow more stable and efficient across borders.
The Arab Gas Pipeline is more than 1,200 kilometers long. It was built to carry Egyptian natural gas to several countries in the region. It was also planned as a possible link to Europe in the future. This makes it an important project for regional energy trade and cooperation.
However, the pipeline project stopped working for many years. Operations were largely suspended after 2011. The conflict in Syria caused major disruptions. Sanctions on Syria during the rule of Bashar al-Assad also affected the project. These issues slowed down energy flow and regional cooperation for a long time.
Later political changes in Syria helped reopen discussions. Some sanctions were also lifted after changes in leadership and transition plans. This created a new space for regional energy talks. Countries started looking again at how the pipeline could support shared energy needs.
The new Arab Gas Pipeline Deal is seen as an important step for the region. It shows a clear effort to rebuild energy links between Arab countries. It also highlights Egypt’s role as a key energy partner in the region. Leaders believe stronger cooperation can help solve energy shortages in Lebanon and nearby countries.
Experts say the deal could improve energy security if fully implemented. It may also lower energy costs and reduce power cuts in Lebanon. However, they also note that long-term success will depend on stability and strong coordination between all involved countries.
The agreement marks a renewed focus on shared energy solutions. It also shows how regional cooperation is becoming more important in solving energy challenges.
