BEIRUT: Electricite Du Liban (EDL) announced over the weekend that it would pay the salaries of bill collectors but warned it would take legal steps against those withholding money from collected electricity bills.

In a statement by the state-run company Saturday, EDL said the decision came after the Energy Ministry approved Friday to pay salaries of bill collectors, who have held regular protests at the company’s headquarters in the capital over the issue.

The company also called on all bill collectors to hand over some LL1.5 billion ($1 million) in money from collected electricity bills that has “been kept since sit-ins were launched.”

EDL said the money was public money, essential for maintaining the company’s financial commitments, and warned it would take legal measures against bill collector should the money not be returned.