Complete power cut as major plants shut down in Lebanon

INA - SOURCES 

Lebanon's two main power plants were switched off, plunging much of the country into a near-total blackout.

The shutdown; caused by the two plants running out of fuel; worsens a crisis that has seen people receive just two hours of electricity a day.

A lack of foreign currency has made it hard to pay overseas energy suppliers.

Lebanon's two biggest power stations, Deir Ammar and Zahrani; which together provide about 40% of the country's electricity; shut down on Friday, said their owner Electricite Du Liban (EDL).

Ships loaded with gas oil had refused to offload the fuel before money was transferred to their owners' accounts in dollars.

In the eastern city of Zahle, EDL asked residents to reduce their consumption to a minimum, saying the "power supply has been cut across Lebanese territories indefinitely".

Swathes of the country are now facing water rationing as well. The pumping stations are powered by diesel, and lack the supplies they need to function.

Lebanon has suffered a severe economic crisis over the past 18 months, and its currency; the Lebanese Pound; has collapsed to record lows.