DAILY SCOPE: Lebanon Plunges in Wastes for Fifth Day

Local Editor

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For the fifth day in a row, garbage fills the streets of Lebanon after the closure of the Na'meh landfill. Also, papers shed light on Lebanese political developments, the repercussions of the nuclear deal, and the US and Europe urging the March 14 camp in Lebanon to accept it.

Lebanon Plunges in Trash for Fifth Day in a Row --- AL-AKHBAR

Lebanon's Environment Minister Mohammed al-Mashnouq sought on Tuesday to resolve the waste management problem by implementing a plan he proposed, after the closure of the Naameh landfill sparked an environmental crisis.
"I will not wait for the session of the cabinet," which is set to discuss the crisis on Thursday, he said, adding "garbage is on the streets and needs a quick solution."

Al-Mashnouq told al-Akhbar newspaper that he would start on Tuesday to take practical measures to implement the plan to transport the waste to several regions as a temporary solution pending the launching of tenders on the establishment of new landfills.

But only a few municipalities were able or willing to locate suitable grounds for the wastes, and many around the country refused to receive Beirut's waste.

The Na'meh landfill south of Beirut was closed last Friday in accordance with a government decision, which caused trash to spill out of dumpsters after Sukleen, the company responsible for collecting and transporting the garbage in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, failed to dispose of waste following the landfill's closure.

Sukleen said it can no longer fill up its premises with accumulated trash. For the fifth day in a row, piles of garbage have continued to accumulate in the streets of more than 300 villages and areas across Lebanon.

Mahnouq: Hizbullah Partner in Lebanon --- AL-LIWAA

Lebanon's Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq assured following a meeting with his French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve that ‘the strategy to fight terrorism is based on finding political stability through protecting the current government in Lebanon, and encouraging dialogue between the two major parties in Lebanon, Hizbullah and the Future movement."

The minister also highlighted the ‘importance of enhancing and encouraging the techniques and capabilities of the country's security forces, and underscored that Hizbullah is a political rival but a partner in the country.'

According to al-Liwaa daily, sources said the talks between the Lebanese and French officials came up with a three-pronged strategy to fight terrorism in Lebanon and shed light on priorities. These include: providing political stability in the country, enhancing the capabilities of the security forces, and shedding light on the role of religious clerics in confronting the takfiri rhetoric.

Lebanon's Interior Minister began a two-day visit to France Tuesday by meeting his French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve.

Mashnouq is accompanied by a high-ranking security delegation comprising General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim and Brig. Gen. Imad Othman, head of the Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch.
The meeting with Cazeneuve tackled "the security and political challenges that Lebanon and the region are facing."

Lebanese Army to Keep Order in Protests --- AL-JOMHOURIYA

The Lebanese army will take strict measures in the vicinity of the Grand Serail while cabinet is in session on Thursday, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.

A well-informed military source told the daily: "The army is ready for all scenarios."

"It will protect demonstrations, but it will not allow the blocking of roads, the violation of the people's property, or any approach towards the government building," it added.

"The army will ensure that the protestors not clash with it, and it will block any loophole they may exploit to create unrest," it stressed.

"The Grand Serail is a red line like all other state institutions and the army will protect it," it continued.
FPM Leader MP Michel Aoun said on Tuesday that his party does not intend to topple Prime Minister Tammam Salam's government.

"Toppling the cabinet led by Tammam Salam is not among the objectives we are currently working on," Aoun told Iran's state news agency IRNA.

"Our priority is to object from within the cabinet and continue our street protests," he said.

Aoun reiterated that FPM ministers would object the discussion of any item before dealing with the cabinet's decision-making mechanism.

Source: Al-Ahed News, Edited by website team