BEIRUT: Cabinet has approved a controversial electricity bill proposed by Energy Minister Jibran Bassil, Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi told The Daily Star Wednesday, ending a protracted dispute that threatened the future of Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government.

“The Cabinet approved the electricity bill which will be funded in four installments, one per year, starting 2011,” Safadi said.

A ministerial source told The Daily Star earlier Wednesday that a compromise had been secured over the controversial electricity bill proposed by Bassil ahead of a planned meeting to discuss the draft law.

“The Cabinet is expected to endorse the disputed bill after a compromise was reached between members of various elements in the government,” the source said.

The breakthrough came after intensive talks to resolve the lengthy dispute, in particular a meeting held between Mikati, Bassil and Hezbollah MP Mohammad Fneish, the source added.