Officials Discuss Export of Waste as Crisis Grows amid Heat Wave

Officials resumed on Monday discussing the country's waste crisis as Prime Minister Tammam Salam said that the export of garbage is among the proposals under discussion.

“The suggestion to export waste is among several other proposals” that are being discussed by the involved officials, Salam told As Safir daily.

Some Lebanese businessmen have asked the state to be given an official mandate to negotiate with companies abroad the export of Lebanon's garbage. But this request was declined, said Salam.

Economy Minister Alain Hakim also told As Safir that four German companies have given their initial approval to import each 40 tons of waste monthly.

He stressed that France and Sweden are ready to cooperate in that regard if the German companies failed to strike a deal with the Lebanese authorities on the matter.

In similar remarks to the newspaper, Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb expressed hope that the export of waste will take place.

The crisis erupted when the Naameh landfill, which since 1997 had been receiving the trash of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, was closed on July 17.

Following its closure, waste began to pile up on the streets despite a temporary solution to collect it.

But the decision led to protests by local officials and residents in several areas, who have refused to accept waste from outside their regions.

The smell of rotting garbage became worse with rising temperatures amid an unprecedented heat wave striking Lebanon and neighboring countries.

Experts have warned that the crisis would lead to the spread of diseases.

G.K.

D.A.