Kataeb MP Elias Hankache on Tuesday vowed to defend the Metn residents against the controversial high-voltage power lines project, deploring the fact that political forces active in the district have relinquished this cause after having stood by the residents before the elections.

“We have asked for a meeting with the Energy Minister so that she listens to the people's concerns, but so no appointment has been scheduled so far,” Hankache told Voice of Lebanon radio station.

“As long as there is a 1 percent doubt about the danger that the high-voltage power lines pose, shouldn’t we accord importance to the protection of people in this area?" he asked.

Shortly later, Energy Minister Nada Boustani denied that she had received any meeting request from Hankache, saying that the ministry had paid heed to the residents' viewpoint over the past ten years.

Hankache replied to Boustani's denial, posting a picture of a WhatsApp message in which he requests a meeting directly from the minister.