The first shipment of fuel oil destined for Lebanon is set to depart Thursday from Algeria, the North African country's state-owned oil company confirmed.

Electricité du Liban (EDL), Lebanon's power utility provider, declared on Saturday a total power outage across the entire country, affecting even essential facilities like the Rafik Hariri International Airport, the Port of Beirut, prisons, wastewater treatment facilities, and drinking water pumping stations.

In accordance with the directives of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Sonatrach began Tuesday the loading process for the first shipment of fuel oil to Lebanon, according to a statement posted on its Facebook account.

It mentioned that the cargo consists of approximately 30,000 tonnes of fuel oil, which will be transported to Lebanon aboard the In Ecker tanker, scheduled to depart from the port of Skikda on August 22.

The company said the initiative is aimed at supporting Lebanon during its current crisis and highlights the deep bilateral relations between the brotherly nations.

Sonatrach indicated that this effort is intended to assist Lebanon in these challenging times by providing an immediate supply of fuel oil to operate its power plants and restore electricity across the country.

Elsewhere, the oil company added that the initiative reflects its firm commitment to supporting the decisions of the Algerian state and strengthening brotherly ties with Lebanon and embodies the spirit of cooperation and solidarity between the two nations.

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