'We Want Accountability' Demands Briefing on Trash Export Deal

Civil society activists from the 'We Want Accountability' campaign held a sit-in near the Central Inspection Bureau in Beirut demanding further details from the government on a deal that was signed with two firms to export Lebanon's trash.

Some of the activists tried to storm into the building shouting 'peaceful, peaceful' but the security forces did not allow them to do so.

One of the activists said: “The citizens have the right to enter the building and get more details from related authorities on the deal to export the trash.”

Another activist expressed astonishment at what she described “a cruel behavior of the security forces who tried to prevent them from storming the building where they demanded to meet with head of the CIB.

Later National News Agency said that a delegation from the activists was granted a meeting with head of the CIB, and that the activists will determine the next step based on the outcome.

A trash management crisis erupted when the Naameh landfill was closed in July 2015.

The government's failure to find alternatives led to the piling up of garbage on the streets and in random locations, which raised health and environmental concerns and sparked unprecedented street protests against the entire political class.

In December, the cabinet approved an export plan with representatives of Britain’s Chinook Urban Mining International firm and Holland’s Howa BV.

The agreement drew concerns and doubts when some media reports claimed that Howa BV lacks experience in waste management.

D.A.

M.T.