SIDON, Lebanon: Several individuals blocked the main road leading to the southern city of Tyre Sunday in protest of repeated power outages and warned they would adopt harsher measures if their demand for better electricity supply was not met.

The protesters, carrying signs condemning “corruption” at the Energy Ministry, also held a demonstration in front of a branch of Electricite Du Liban at the northern entrance of the city.

They chanted slogans calling for the resignation of Energy Minister Jibran Bassil and urged the government to bear the responsibility of the deteriorating condition of electricity in the area.

One of the protesters told The Daily Star that their move Sunday "was merely symbolic" and warned that the protesters would escalate action if their demands were not met.

The protests led to heavy traffic at the entrance of the city which prompted the Lebanese Army to interfere and reopen roads.

Endemic power cuts have worsened during the winter season as maintenance work on several production units takes its toll on electricity supply. The situation has prompted citizens to launch a series of demonstrations, particularly in south Lebanon, the Chouf and the Bekaa regions.

Lebanon’s consumption exceeds 2,400 MW, far greater than the 1,500 MW produced.

On Jan. 23, Electricité Du Liban announced it had completed maintenance work on the first gas turbine at the Zahrani power plant, which is expected to increase electricity supply to 1,500 MW.

Work is still under way for a power plant in Jiyyeh, south of Beirut, which is expected to boost electricity supply.

Last year, Lebanon’s Parliament approved a plan to build power plants that would produce an additional 700 MW.