Lebanese cabinet refuses waste bids, tasks

The Lebanese cabinet on Tuesday has not approved the waste bids whose conclusion was settled yesterday by naming the winning companies, Information Minister Ramzi Jreij said in a press conference after the cabinet session.

The cabinet tasked the ministerial committee "to reconsider the wastes file and find alternatives in this concern," the minister added.

Jreij also said the cabinet decided to allocate $100 million through the High Relief Council for executing development projects in Akkar.

The $100 million projects are thought to be an incentive for the residents there to allow creating a large garbage dump in the area.

Jreij explained that the Hezbollah and FPM ministers withdrew from the session after the agreement on Akkar had been reached.

Saturday and Sunday saw the biggest demonstration by far since garbage began piling up on the streets after the capital's main landfill was closed a month ago.

The government has been unable to find an alternative system for waste management amid government paralysis and bickering among politicians.

The health minister has warned of a catastrophe as some have started dumping trash in valleys, rivers and near the sea.

The clashes escalated on Saturday and Sunday after protesters accused the government of corruption and political dysfunction amid a trash crisis.
Source: MENA