Residents of Mansourieh, Ain Saade, Beit Mery and neighboring Metn villages slammed the new power plan put forth by the Energy Ministry, voicing surprise at the insistence on installing the controversial high-voltage power lines over the area.

The committee representing the residents said that the plan stipulates that security deployment would be beefed up in order to force the installation works, as it also requests the Army's assistance in order to prevent the residents from disrupting the process.

The residents deemed this measure as "shameful", blasting the "dictatorial and oppressive mentality" that such a provision reflects.

This approach is constantly being adopted to cover up "erroneous" and "unprofessional" decisions, the statement added.

The residents stressed that it would be impossible for them to accept this plan, noting that world reports have cautioned against the health hazards of high-voltage power lines.

The residents pledged to defend their health safety and that of their children, affirming that their stance is just.

Protests have been staged in the area since 2011 to denounce plans for high-voltage power lines which, according to subsequent energy ministers, are needed to tackle the country’s electricity crisis as the project aims to connect a power plant in Mkalles to one in Bsalim.