Qatar听announced an initiative Thursday to听supply听natural gas to Syria through Jordan to help boost that country鈥檚 meager power听supply.
The听initiative aims to "contribute to generating electricity starting from 400 megawatts, with gradual increases by听Qatar听Development Fund," Syria鈥檚 state news agency, SANA, quoted听Qatari Charge d鈥橝ffaires in Damascus Khalifa Abdullah Al Sharif.
Syrian Electricity Minister Omar Shaqrouq said听the听Qatari grant will contribute to supporting听the听Syrian energy sector by providing 2 million cubic meters of natural gas daily.
鈥淭his contribution will generate an additional 400 megawatts of electricity, improving听the听power听supply听and increasing it by two to four hours per day,鈥� he told SANA. 鈥淭his will positively impact citizens' daily lives and support vital sectors in听the听country.鈥�
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said听Qatar听wants to provide energy support to Syria, emphasizing that听the听assistance will cover听the听entire Syrian territory, contributing to greater stability.
In an interview with听the听Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel, Al Ansari stated that听Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued clear directives to support听the听Syrian people. He explained that听Qatar's goal is to meet听the听requirements for Syria鈥檚 reconstruction.
Al Ansari reiterated that听Qatar听鈥渉as stood by听the听Syrian people throughout听their revolution from 2011 to 2024 and is now committed to supporting听their rebuilding efforts.鈥�
He highlighted听Qatar鈥檚 coordination with international partners to provide aid to Syria, while also valuing 鈥渞elations with global partners, including听the听United States.鈥�
鈥淲e hold daily discussions with our partners to coordinate roles in supporting听the听Syrian people," he added, stressing that听the听emir's directives are clear in ensuring continued assistance for Syria.
Syria is suffering severe power shortages worsened by听the听collapse of听the听Bashar al-Assad regime, which听the听country's new administration is scrambling to address.鈥嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧��
Assad, Syria鈥檚 leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, 2024, ending听the听Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.
By Ahmed Asmar and Rania Abu Shamala听
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr