The garbage crisis is the straw that broke the camel’s back. Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam’s statement yesterday sums up what is wrong with the country. The problem of trash collection in the capital Beirut has acquired alarming proportions, and politicians and parliament haven’t been able to do anything to solve the crisis that has now led to stinking piles of garbage even blocking thoroughfares.
Salam was forced to call a press conference and address the nation on television yesterday after police action against demonstrators on Saturday sparked widespread outrage. More than 50 Lebanese were injured in the clashes after police used force to disperse thousands protesting against the trash crisis, lack of basic amenities and political corruption. The prime minister has promised to hold police to account for its actions against protesters.
The garbage crisis was precipitated when the main landfill site for dumping waste was closed on July 17 after becoming full. Slowly, mounds of trash started building on the streets of the Lebanese capital. Citizens launched a social media campaign YouStink and started criticising government inaction.
Lebanon has been without a president for more than a year after Michel Suleiman’s term ended in May 2014. The parliament, which was elected in 2009 is on an extension, postponing elections to 2017. Given the political crisis, squabbling lawmakers have been unable to find a solution to the trash problem. Even water and electricity are in short supply in the Lebanese capital as the political crisis prevents decisions to be taken by the executive that trickles down to an administrative stalemate.
Protesters on Saturday were not only venting their rage against the garbage problem. They had, in fact, erupted against general administrative apathy and political corruption. The 20,000 tonnes of garbage in Beirut has raised a stink that seems to overwhelm the shaky government. In Salam’s words, the problem is bigger than the straw that broke the camel’s back. Lebanon may not be able to pay the salaries of a large number of public sector workers because of the failure to take decisions. The inability to service the public debt through bond sales could push Lebanon’s rating down to the ranks of the “failed states,” Salam told mediapersons yesterday.
In his televised address, Salam threatened to resign, signalling an impending constitutional crisis.
Lebanese politicians would be forced to find a solution to the trash problem since the crisis has peaked and threatens public security after Saturday’s and yesterday’s protests. However, the country is likely to live with a political stalemate and economic crisis, much of it fuelled by the war in neighbouring Syria from where tens of thousands of refugees have entered Lebanon, hurting Lebanon’s frayed economy•
The garbage crisis is the straw that broke the camel’s back. Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam’s statement yesterday sums up what is wrong with the country. The problem of trash collection in the capital Beirut has acquired alarming proportions, and politicians and parliament haven’t been able to do anything to solve the crisis that has now led to stinking piles of garbage even blocking thoroughfares.
Salam was forced to call a press conference and address the nation on television yesterday after police action against demonstrators on Saturday sparked widespread outrage. More than 50 Lebanese were injured in the clashes after police used force to disperse thousands protesting against the trash crisis, lack of basic amenities and political corruption. The prime minister has promised to hold police to account for its actions against protesters.
The garbage crisis was precipitated when the main landfill site for dumping waste was closed on July 17 after becoming full. Slowly, mounds of trash started building on the streets of the Lebanese capital. Citizens launched a social media campaign YouStink and started criticising government inaction.
Lebanon has been without a president for more than a year after Michel Suleiman’s term ended in May 2014. The parliament, which was elected in 2009 is on an extension, postponing elections to 2017. Given the political crisis, squabbling lawmakers have been unable to find a solution to the trash problem. Even water and electricity are in short supply in the Lebanese capital as the political crisis prevents decisions to be taken by the executive that trickles down to an administrative stalemate.
Protesters on Saturday were not only venting their rage against the garbage problem. They had, in fact, erupted against general administrative apathy and political corruption. The 20,000 tonnes of garbage in Beirut has raised a stink that seems to overwhelm the shaky government. In Salam’s words, the problem is bigger than the straw that broke the camel’s back. Lebanon may not be able to pay the salaries of a large number of public sector workers because of the failure to take decisions. The inability to service the public debt through bond sales could push Lebanon’s rating down to the ranks of the “failed states,” Salam told mediapersons yesterday.
In his televised address, Salam threatened to resign, signalling an impending constitutional crisis.
Lebanese politicians would be forced to find a solution to the trash problem since the crisis has peaked and threatens public security after Saturday’s and yesterday’s protests. However, the country is likely to live with a political stalemate and economic crisis, much of it fuelled by the war in neighbouring Syria from where tens of thousands of refugees have entered Lebanon, hurting Lebanon’s frayed economy•
