THE failure of Lebanon's debut offshore well is devastating news for the long-suffering Lebanese, who had pinned their hopes on the probe to help keep on the lights in a country plagued by power cuts. Success would have also brought some cheer at a time of a deepening financial crisis that has crippled the government's ability to pay for fuel imports. Large parts of the Mediterranean nation languish in darkness on a daily basis amid power shortages, which in rural areas last for up to 20 hours. Diesel-fired generators are the choice for wealthier residents to keep their lights on in Beirut and other cities. France's Total and partner Eni of Italy held high hopes for the Byblos well on Block 4, given a string of spectacular gas finds in Israel, Cyprus and Egypt in the past decade.
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