A delegation of high-ranking Lebanese ministers visited Damascus Saturday for talks on importing energy via Syria, the first such official visit since its civil war broke out 10 years ago.

Harsh fuel shortages and power cuts inflicted by Lebanon’s economic collapse have paralyzed businesses like restaurants, shops and industry as well as vital services like hospitals.

Now Beirut hopes to strike a deal to import gas from Egypt and electricity from Jordan using Syrian infrastructure — in the face of US sanctions against the Damascus regime.

The delegation led by Zeina Akar, deputy prime minister of Lebanon’s interim government, also includes Finance Minister Ghazi Wazni, Energy Minister Raymond Ghajar and General Security intelligence agency chief Abbas Ibrahim.